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England have been dumped out of the European Championships after they put in one of the most woeful performances in living memory as Croatia defeated England 3-2 at Wembley. Surely this must be the end for Steve McClaren - who messed up a second chance that he just didn't ever deserve.
All they needed was a point - but headed out to a wet Wembley with no ideas, against a superb Croatian side that will surely go a long way in the summer.
Steve McClaren's days must surely be numbered as England are dumped out of a major tournament in the qualification stages for the first time since 1994.
Croatia combined skillful football with attacking prowess, whilst clueless England again resorted to thumping the ball long to Peter Crouch.
The England defence were woeful, Wayne Bridge made several shocking errors, whilst Micah Richards looked uncharacteristically rubbish at the back. Scott Carson had a debut he will want to forget very quickly as he made a string errors in the England goal.
Talk of a "second chance" by Steve McClaren - England on this evidence didn't ever deserve their second chance. Woeful performances throughout the tournament have sealed England's fate.
Steve McClaren will be the scapegoat this time, the blame will go on the ex-Middlesbrough bosses head, and surely his time is up now. If he doesn't get the chop - he must quit.
England fell behind in the eighth minute when Kranjcar found space 30 yards out and let fly with a dipping right-foot shot that bounced just in front of the keeper and Carson could only parry the ball into the roof of the net. Not the start the Villa keeper would've wanted.
Then, six minutes later, it was 2-0 to Croatia as Ivica Olic found the net. Eduardo drove at the heart of the England defence and teed up Olic who rounded Carson to shock England.
England looked blunt without any ideas, and went in at half time 2-0 down to a chorus of boos.
McClaren threw on Defoe and Beckham for Barry and Wright-Phillips, desperate for goals.
For a while, England looked like they may get back into the game as the referee gave a shocking penalty to England, and Lampard stepped up to slot home.
Beckham had the chance to be hero on his 99th game, as the LA Galaxy midfielder sent over an inch-perfect cross from the right that Crouch expertly chested down and smashed into the bottom corner from seven yards. Game on. Or maybe not.
On 77 minutes, it was game over for England as substitute Petric fizzed a great drive into the corner past woeful Carson.
Out go England, and to be honest, they never deserved to have their second chance anyway. Good riddance Steve McClaren.
Written by majicka
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