World Cup semi-finals: when Croatia humiliated England in the Euro 2008 qualifiers | Football News

Croatia in the semifinals of the World Cup Wednesday, just over 10 years after another decisive moment in the history of English football involving the two teams. The McClaren team did not qualify for the Euro 2008.

We return on this infamous night …

The Accumulation

After the disappointment of an exit in the quarter-finals of the 2006 World Cup in Portugal, New England coach Steve McClaren was eager to renew the team for the qualifying campaign for the World Cup. Euro 2008, but his decision to drop David Beckham and Sol Campbell has returned to fourth place in Group E at halfway. 19659006] A frustrating home game against Macedonia was followed by a disturbing loss in Croatia (with a goal against Gary Neville's own side, when a divot caused a complete defeat by goalkeeper Paul Robinson).

Croatian recognition report

We look at the strengths and weaknesses of the opponents in the World Cup semi-finals in England

With the recall of Beckham, England s'. is handed over and went to Russia in their penultimate match on the qualifying point. When Wayne Rooney opened the scoring, England had to reserve its place at the European and Austrian championships

. Future Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko scored two goals in four minutes to seal a win over an artificial surface. at the Luzhniki Stadium – the venue of the clash between England and Croatia later this week.

A blow was given to England a month later when Russia lost to Israel. That meant that all England had to do to qualify for the Euro 2008 was to avoid the home defeat against Croatia already qualified Slaven Bilic …

Scott Carson looks stunned after his first mistake

Heavy rains fell on Wembley. A few minutes after the first whistle, the pitch, which had been damaged during an NFL game a few weeks earlier, was withering. The 11th departure from England – missing John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Gary Neville, Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen because of an injury, while Ashley Cole and Beckham were sitting on the bench – showed his nerves.

Not older than 22 years old Scott Carson. Launched for his competitive debut instead of Robinson, the goalkeeper allowed Nico Kranjcar to sneak through the net looking for a long-range shot. When Ivica Olic passed Carson to equalize six minutes later, the disaster struck

England was booed at halftime. McClaren, who had sheltered under an umbrella, sent Beckham and Jermain Defoe in desperate search for an answer.

Peter Crouch celebrates after Pulling the level of England

Eleven minutes later, the # England had one back when Frank Lampard headed after Defoe's withdrawal into the penalty area. At 65 minutes, England was level, when the beautiful center of Beckham was rewritten and picked up by Peter Crouch. Relief. For 11 minutes, Mladen Petric again gave the advantage to Croatia, hitting his left foot just outside the penalty area and, despite the helm of Darren Bent, England could find no way back. The defeat, coupled with Russia's 1-0 win over Andorra, ended their hopes of qualifying.

The Consequences

The FA acted quickly: McClaren was fired the next day, just 16 months after "I thought I was up to it when I got it taken and I still believe it now, but obviously you are judged by the results, "said McClaren. "I said from the outset that I would live and die by the results and that the results did not go in that direction, we failed, it's the saddest day of my career."

Sol Campbell shows the pain of the failure of the qualification of The Euro 2008 in England

The Italian Fabio Capello was named McClaren's successor in December to qualify for the 2010 World Cup, winning nine out of 10 matches.

As for the talented team Croatian Bilic, they won all three group matches at the Euro 2008 – including a 2-1 win against the German finalists – but lost a dramatic match In the quarterfinals against Turkey

Croatia had scored what appeared to be the decisive goal with a minute of overtime, but Turkey leveled deep in injury time and continued to win on penalties.

After 1945, after a painful summer, watching the Euro 2008 remotely, England did not have to wait long to take revenge on Croatia. And they did it with style.

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