Bodog Beat

Down and out: Scott Carson reacts after letting in a horrendous goal during England's 3-2 loss to Croatia. (AP Images)

England have spectacularly crashed out of the 2008 European Championships after losing a 3-2 thriller against Croatia.

Despite a significant lack of possession in the first half, it was the Croats who were 2-nil up after 45 minutes. Just nine minutes in, Niko Kranjcar cut in from the left flank and fired a powerful shot in on goal from 35 yards. The dipping shot eluded England netminder Scott Carson, who saw the ball squirm off his left forearm before hitting the back of the net. It was a nightmare start for the Three Lions – the choice to start Carson had come under heavy fire and the youngster gave pundits much to discuss with his opening blunder.

Five minutes later, the nightmare got worse as the impressive Ivica Olic beat England's offside trap to score. The Croatia striker rounded Carson and easily slid the ball into an empty net. England appealed for offside, but Wayne Bridge definitely played the Hamburg forward on.

Just 10 minutes into the second half, England were given a lifeline after the referee awarded a dubious penalty when Jermaine Defoe slipped while being challenged by a Croatian defender. Frank Lampard stepped up to hammer home the spot shot, bringing England to within a goal of the tie they so badly needed for qualification.

In the 65th minute, England did the impossible. Second-half substitute David Beckham swung in an inch-perfect cross, finding lanky striker Peter Crouch unmarked in the box. Crouch did well to chest down the ball and easily beat the Croatian 'keeper with a strong shot.

It looked to be a 2-2 draw to the finish…that is until Mladen Petric thought otherwise. After a brief spell of strong Croatian possession in England's end, Petric slammed home a brilliant game winner, eluding Carson and finding side-netting. The Croatian sideline was jubilant as, to be fair, Petric's goal earned them the victory they deserved on the day. Croatia were brilliant in converting their chances and did well to limit the England attack for most of the afternoon.

Soon after, the final whistle blew in the Andorra-Russia game, which the Russians won 1-nil. This officially sent England packing from Euro 2008, an absolute disaster for a team with so much talent and promise.

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