Camden New Journal - by DAN CARRIER Published: 22 November 2007
Red-faced England crash out
Euro 2008 Qualifying Group E
England 2, Croatia 3
ENGLAND'S Euro Championship qualifying campaign came to a soggy end last night (Wednesday) as Steve McClaren’s team slumped to a 3-2 defeart against Croatia. Groundsman were forking the rain-sodden goalmouth before the game and this set the tone when Nico Kranjcar’s shot skimmed past Scott Carson in the eigth minute.
Ivica Olic made it two in the 14th minute and England had a hill to climb.
A half-time double swap saw Jermain Defoe and David Beckham come on and it paid instant dividends. Defoe won a penalty and Lampard converted.
Crouch then equalised, but with 13 minutes remaining Croatia broke and Mladen Petric’s long-range effort finished the game off.