Croatia against England

The hero of the hour departs for Croatia as Eduardo makes way for Jerko Leko and receives a standing ovation as he does so.

Croatia have composed themselves and are neatly stroking the ball around, retaining posesssion with consumate ease. England are chasing shadows now.

Richardson breaks down the left but his low cross ends up comfortably in Pletikosa's arms.

Ashley Cole scythes down Modric and ends up in the book. That card means he'll miss England's next match away at Isreal.

The substitutes have at least freshened things up but surely it's too late now. England have switched to their preferred 4-4-2.

In between all the confusion and capers, Robinson makes a heroic save to keep England within two goals. While all at home are still laughing, Robbo is left red-faced, wishing the ground would swallow him up.

A treble switch for England and a last-ditch effort to salvage something from the game. On comes Defoe, Richardson and Wright-Phillips. Off goes Parker, Crouch and Carragher.

An incredible goal! An unbelievable misfortune for Robinson. A regualtion pass back hits a freak bobble and Robinson takes a fresh air swipe and the ball trickles into the net. A bizarre goal that leaves England in all sorts of trouble.

GOAL: CROATIA 2-0 ENGLAND Neville og

Far from sitting back on their lead, Croatia are pushing forward looking for a second.

The visitors are showing more urgency now and boy do they need it. Cole and Neville are at last pushing on but nothing is coming from midfield.

England try to hit back but Crouch is guilty of hauling down Simunic in the Croatian box. He simply hasn't got into the game as yet and England's set-piece is wasted.

The stadium is rocking now and England are left reeling.

Eduardo lobs a header over Robinson who is caught in no-man's land. Kovac's cross causes the England defenders all sorts of problems and Cole and Terry are caught out while the Brazilian-born midfielder nips in to head home. England's clean-sheet record comes to an end.

GOAL: CROATIA 1-0 ENGLAND Eduardo

Rapaic swings in a corner that Robinson beats away.

Cole is the latest to surge forward and is wrongly given offside. At the other end Ferdinand is walking a thin line with the referee. He awkwardly flies into a challenge but the referee decides against brandishing a second yellow.

England are at least playing further up the pitch this half. Their presing in high areas catches out the Croatian defence, but the killer pass is still missing from the attacks.

From an unlikely source, Wayne Rooney is presented with a clear chance. Lacking in confidence, he blasts it over when he really should have broken the net. England's best chance so far goes begging.

Terry has taken over the responsibility of marking Petric and an aerial battle results in the Croat hitting the deck.

Even a clear corner goes the other way. Rooney looks to the heavens and pleads for just one sniff at goal.

Nothing seems to be going right for Rooney. A poor offside decision and an unseen foul frustrates the scouser.

And almost a goal from the corner. Petric finds himself completely unmarked at the far post and directs a firm header towards goal. Robinson gets a strong palm to it and pushes it over for another corner. No such danger from the second set-piece though.

An early corner for Croatia as Ashley Cole diverts Rapaic's shot round the post.

The players are back out on the pitch and the second period is underway.

England have passed the ball around reasonably well but have shown precious little endeavour going forward. Plenty for McClaren to ponder at the break.

HALF-TIME: CROATIA 0-0 ENGLAND

There doesn't seem to be any of the racist taunts that were so widely predicted. But it's certainly raucus inside the stadium with the home fans sensing a scalp.

Rapaic has got a reputation for hitting one from distance and that's exactly what he tries from all of 35 yards. A bobble just before his strike ensures the ball lands in the car park.

England are at least keeping the ball now. They've taken the sting out of Croatia's attacks and settled into a better rythmn. But there's no sign of forging an attack.

Even the reliable John Terry is struggling out there. He gives the ball away in a dangerous position only to be relieved by an offside decision against Eduardo.

England will be happy to get to the break at 0-0. They simply haven't sussed how to play 5-3-2. In fact, I can't remember an England chance of note so far.

It's chaos in the England box. Three chances in one move as Rapaic exposes the England defence and Kranjcar has two decent efforts on goal well saved by Robinson. The third sees Simunic loop a header dangerously into the box which is scrambled to safety.

More work for Robinson, this time from a set-piece. Ten yards outside the penalty area, the free-kick is easily gathered by the keeper.

What a chance for Croatia to take the lead. Portsmouth's Niko Kranjcar mistimes his volley and Robinson makes a fine save down low to his left. It's the best chance of the match so far and Croatia would have been ahead but for Kranjcar's unconvincing effort.

Another optimistic effort from Lampard and Steve McClaren looks unsettled on the England bench.

Better from England now and Lampard gets forward and receives a Wayne Rooney pass inside the box. The Chelsea midfielder scoops a left-foot shot over the bar and the move comes to a wasteful end.

The resulting free-kick is well defended by John Terry who does enough to put off the on-rushing Milan Rapaic.

Finally Ferdinand finds his way into the referee's book. Another scruffy tackle on Petric gives the man in black no choice but to dip into his top pocket.

Petric is giving Ferdinand all sorts of problems. His height and strength have caught the Manchester United defender out in the air on three occasions.

Rooney is starting to come into the game now and a swivelled turn and shot brings a comfortable low save from Pletikosa.

Encouraging for England as Chelsea team-mates Lampard and Cole combine for the left-back to deliver a cross. It evades Crouch but it at least instills some confidence for the visitors.

Rooney isn't seeing too much of the ball and is having to close down the Croatian defence to force an opening. Crouch on the other hand hasn't had a touch yet.

The home crowd like what they see and so does Slaven Bilic. The hosts are spraying the ball around with confidence and ease. England can't get the ball at the moment.

Croatia are buzzing but England are pondering. The new system suggests they'll have little luck down the wings and the defence look penned in.

Problems for England's new-look back three. A straight ball through catches out Terry and Ferdinand and Eduardo fires in a low shot straight at Robinson. A decent chance but comfortable for the England number one.

The home support are in full voice and England's band are being drowned out by the Croats.

Peter Crouch is caught offside when he really should have timned his run better. Rooney played him in only for the referee's assistant to raise his flag.

A lively start and Croatia look in the mood. A crisp passing move puts England on the back foot but no shot is made.

We're underway and it's a hostile atmosphere for the England players in Zagreb.

As predicted, England boss Steve McClaren opts for a change in formation with 5-3-2 preferred to 4-4-2. Scott Parker is recalled to the midfield with Frank Lampard and Michael Carrick just in front. Ashley Cole and Gary Neville adopt new roles as wing-backs, while Wayne Rooney and Peter Crouch lead the attack.

Rapaic swings in a corner that Robinson beats away.

Cole is the latest to surge forward and is wrongly given offside. At the other end Ferdinand is walking a thin line with the referee. He awkwardly flies into a challenge but the referee decides against brandishing a second yellow.

England are at least playing further up the pitch this half. Their presing in high areas catches out the Croatian defence, but the killer pass is still missing from the attacks.

From an unlikely source, Wayne Rooney is presented with a clear chance. Lacking in confidence, he blasts it over when he really should have broken the net. England's best chance so far goes begging.

Terry has taken over the responsibility of marking Petric and an aerial battle results in the Croat hitting the deck.

Even a clear corner goes the other way. Rooney looks to the heavens and pleads for just one sniff at goal.

Nothing seems to be going right for Rooney. A poor offside decision and an unseen foul frustrates the scouser.

And almost a goal from the corner. Petric finds himself completely unmarked at the far post and directs a firm header towards goal. Robinson gets a strong palm to it and pushes it over for another corner. No such danger from the second set-piece though.

An early corner for Croatia as Ashley Cole diverts Rapaic's shot round the post.

The players are back out on the pitch and the second period is underway.

England have passed the ball around reasonably well but have shown precious little endeavour going forward. Plenty for McClaren to ponder at the break.

HALF-TIME: CROATIA 0-0 ENGLAND

There doesn't seem to be any of the racist taunts that were so widely predicted. But it's certainly raucus inside the stadium with the home fans sensing a scalp.

Rapaic has got a reputation for hitting one from distance and that's exactly what he tries from all of 35 yards. A bobble just before his strike ensures the ball lands in the car park.

England are at least keeping the ball now. They've taken the sting out of Croatia's attacks and settled into a better rythmn. But there's no sign of forging an attack.

Even the reliable John Terry is struggling out there. He gives the ball away in a dangerous position only to be relieved by an offside decision against Eduardo.

England will be happy to get to the break at 0-0. They simply haven't sussed how to play 5-3-2. In fact, I can't remember an England chance of note so far.

It's chaos in the England box. Three chances in one move as Rapaic exposes the England defence and Kranjcar has two decent efforts on goal well saved by Robinson. The third sees Simunic loop a header dangerously into the box which is scrambled to safety.

More work for Robinson, this time from a set-piece. Ten yards outside the penalty area, the free-kick is easily gathered by the keeper.

What a chance for Croatia to take the lead. Portsmouth's Niko Kranjcar mistimes his volley and Robinson makes a fine save down low to his left. It's the best chance of the match so far and Croatia would have been ahead but for Kranjcar's unconvincing effort.

Another optimistic effort from Lampard and Steve McClaren looks unsettled on the England bench.

Better from England now and Lampard gets forward and receives a Wayne Rooney pass inside the box. The Chelsea midfielder scoops a left-foot shot over the bar and the move comes to a wasteful end.

The resulting free-kick is well defended by John Terry who does enough to put off the on-rushing Milan Rapaic.

Finally Ferdinand finds his way into the referee's book. Another scruffy tackle on Petric gives the man in black no choice but to dip into his top pocket.

Petric is giving Ferdinand all sorts of problems. His height and strength have caught the Manchester United defender out in the air on three occasions.

Rooney is starting to come into the game now and a swivelled turn and shot brings a comfortable low save from Pletikosa.

Encouraging for England as Chelsea team-mates Lampard and Cole combine for the left-back to deliver a cross. It evades Crouch but it at least instills some confidence for the visitors.

Rooney isn't seeing too much of the ball and is having to close down the Croatian defence to force an opening. Crouch on the other hand hasn't had a touch yet.

The home crowd like what they see and so does Slaven Bilic. The hosts are spraying the ball around with confidence and ease. England can't get the ball at the moment.

Croatia are buzzing but England are pondering. The new system suggests they'll have little luck down the wings and the defence look penned in.

Problems for England's new-look back three. A straight ball through catches out Terry and Ferdinand and Eduardo fires in a low shot straight at Robinson. A decent chance but comfortable for the England number one.

The home support are in full voice and England's band are being drowned out by the Croats.

Peter Crouch is caught offside when he really should have timned his run better. Rooney played him in only for the referee's assistant to raise his flag.

A lively start and Croatia look in the mood. A crisp passing move puts England on the back foot but no shot is made.

We're underway and it's a hostile atmosphere for the England players in Zagreb.

As predicted, England boss Steve McClaren opts for a change in formation with 5-3-2 preferred to 4-4-2. Scott Parker is recalled to the midfield with Frank Lampard and Michael Carrick just in front. Ashley Cole and Gary Neville adopt new roles as wing-backs, while Wayne Rooney and Peter Crouch lead the attack.