England Career

Frank Lampard – England years

Lampard’s started his international career with the Under 21’s, making his debut in November 13th 1997 against Greece. He was England’s Under 21 captain in the Under 21’s European Championships of 2000. He made his first senior international appearance for England against Belgium on October 10th 1999. Lampard spent almost 18 months out of the England side, returning in a friendly match against Spain in February 2001. He played in friendly matches over the next two years, however he only emerged as an automatic selection in the England squad, in a match against Slovakia in June 2003, that was his first competitive match for England and since then he has been a permanent fixture in the starting line up. His first goal for England came in August 2003 against Croatia; he played in many of their remaining Euro 2004 qualification matches. He was arguably England’s best player during Euro 2004, scoring key goals against France, Croatia and Portugal. England lost out to Portugal on penalties in the quarter finals; however Lampard's dazzling performances earned him a place in the official Euro 2004All star team by UEFA. In qualifying for the 2006 world cup finals, Lampard found his best form for England, in their ten qualifying matches, Lampard scored five crucial goals, which certainly helped England win their group; his best goal to date was against Poland, a match which England won 2-1, thanks to his late winner. Lampard was on target once again in England’s world cup warm up match against Jamaica.
Lampard started of the 2006 world cup in terrific form; he was FIFA’s man of the match against Paraguay in England’s opening match; however the tournament ended in disappointment for England Lampard, as they crashed out once again to Portugal in a quarter final penalty shoot out. Lampard was one of three English players to miss a penalty in the shoot out.
Lampard is certainly going to play a key part for England during the qualification matches for Euro 2008 to be held in Austria and Switzerland.