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England were eliminated from Euro 2008 after a diabolical 3-2 defeat against Croatia. England had fought back from two goals down before Mladen Petric fired home from 20 yards break England's fans hearts.

It leaves no British representatives in the competition and almost certainly brings to an end Steve McClaren's reign as England manager.

Scott Carson was called in to replace the out of form Paul Robinson but he made a hash of Niko Kranjcar's shot to give Croatia the lead early on. The state of the pitch gave Carson no favours but he should have done better.

England almost replied immediately when Peter Crouch, playing as a lone striker, played in Shaun Wright-Phillips but the Chelsea winger could not find a way past Pletikosa in the Croatian goal. It was to be England's only meaningful attempt on the Croat's goal in the half.

Croatia doubled England's misery as Arsenal's Eduardo da Silva split the England defence wide open to allow Ivica Olic to round Carson and slot home into the empty neat. England appealed in vain for an offside but it was clearly onside.

England were poor and were consequently booed off at half time. McClaren took off Wright-Phillips and Gareth Barry and replaced them with Jermain Defoe and England's saviour in 2001, David Beckham.

The changes transformed Wembley as the fans got behind the team and England started to show some passion and commitment.

England were awarded a penalty when Josip Simunic was adjudged to have pulled back Defoe in the area. It was a harsh decision but Frank Lampard accepted the gracious invitation back into the game by steering the penalty into the back of the net.

Just as it seemed England were forcing their way back into the game, Croatia almost restored their two goal advantage but for a brilliant point blank save from Scott Carson.

Then followed the only quality piece of football England produced all evening. Micah Richards released Beckham down the right and the LA Galaxy midfielder sent over a perfect cross for Crouch who brilliantly controlled the ball and let fly with an unstoppable volley. Wembley erupted as it seemed England had finally booked their tickets for Austria and Switzerland in the summer.

However Croatia had not followed the script. A lack of defensive organisation gave Petric the time and space to let fly from the edge of the area and his shot found the bottom corner.

In desperation McClaren sent Darren Bent onto the field but it was to no avail. England had thrown it away.

Russia's 1-0 defeat of Andorra confirmed England's exit from the competition. No excuses can be made as England failed to qualify from a group that had looked so easy.

Glen Robertson

10:45pm Wednesday 21st November 2007

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