LONDON, England -- Croatia demolished England's dreams of a place in the Euro 2008 finals with a dramatic 3-2 triumph at Wembley that sent Russia through as Group E runners-up. Croatia players celebrate their astonishing victory at Wembley which sent England crashing out. England coach Steve McClaren saw his selection gamble backfire in a big way when rookie goalkeeper Scott Carson handed Croatia a crucial early goal. And McClaren paid for the multi-million pound defeat with his job after England proved second best on the night in almost every department. McLaren sent on David Beckham for his 99th cap along with Jermaine Defoe at the start of the second half and they briefly featured in a revival that saw England draw level.
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England fail to make Euro 2008 finals after 3-2 loss to Croatia at Wembley
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Russia qualified as group runners-up after their slender 1-0 victory in Andorra
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England's failure cost Steve McClaren his job as manager
England's plight became more desperate with the news that Russia were leading in Andorra and @placeholder made a double substitution, bringing on Beckham and Defoe.