Former Chelsea and Ivory Coast forward Didier Drogba has insisted that England can be proud of their performance at the 2018 World Cup.
The Three Lions beat Colombia and Sweden in the first two knockout rounds to book their spot in the semi-finals of a World Cup for the first time in 28 years.
Gareth Southgate’s side failed to progress to the final of the competition, however, with Wednesday’s 2-1 defeat to Croatia seeing them crash out in the last-four stage.
Drogba, however, has paid tribute to England for their showing in Russia.
“Of course it is [disappointing] because you’re one step away from playing the final. At the same time I think the country needs to be proud of this young generation and what they achieved,” Drogba told reporters.
“I was very surprised and happy with the atmosphere around the team and the media supporting the team. All the country were behind them, giving them a chance, not really believing in it but when they got closer you could see everyone was behind them.
“I was disappointed for them but at the same time I was happy that players like [Ruben] Loftus-Cheek, Marcus Rashford and all these young boys managed to perform at the highest level of competition in the world.”
England will take on Belgium in the third-place playoff on Saturday afternoon.