England V Croatia (21st November 2007)

[@The242511]

34:58 "Keep your eye on the number 14" 16 years later Modric signs a new contract at age 37 with Real Madrid... What a player.

[@mike04574]

he played at 2006 wc too

[@rutokelavra819]

@@mike04574 nope.. he did not.. him and eduardo did not play, what actually was a huge mistake by coach zlatko kranjcar

[@mike04574]

yes he did i remember. Eduardo didnt play but modric did@@rutokelavra819

[@loduca16]

@@rutokelavra819yes, he did. He played against both Japan and Australia in 2006 WC.

[@matthewbertram8044]

Rutokelavra819 another person who assumes but again is wrong and what makes me laugh is the person is in google KZbin etc uneducated lazy brain

[@robhurn2770]

Extraordinarily, there he is in midfield - Luka Modric. The longevity is astonishing.

[@fournaanjeremy3877]

What a player

[@encorefootball]

A genuine footballing legend

[@SuperTed19021]

On that night, a footballing star *really* was born!

[@vendohorvat3431]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJqvYZ2ri5Kjr6s Here you have another masterpiece directed by Luka. Dinamo Zagreb- Ajax Amsterdam. They've had Suarez, we 've had Manđukić 😁

[@bom89ar60]

Luka modric dominating midfields from 2007 what an absolute legend .

[@SuperTed19021]

This night at Wembley *really* did unveil a true footballing legend that night, *that's* for sure.

[@MikeyJames-gg1gm]

Shut up

[@mike04574]

2006 wc

[@Mr_Muscollo_Dalmatian]

​@@SuperTed19021Modrić was already world class MDF , in CRO we knew he could achieve very good carrer in a top 5 leauge UEFA, but not even close to this legendary status he has now vs AJAX (Suarez ) vs WERDER BREMEN ( golden team in those years) vs ARSENAL vs INDONESIA u19 ( 5 assist + 2 freekick goals)

[@tashrif46]

Luka Modric over here, even though he was young, was class. And he did it again to Germany in the actual tournament.

[@ivicaolembe17]

notice the same patterns of play he has today

[@bijou201]

This was brilliant Croatian generation. Full of experience, great pace in front line with Eduardo and Olic and very talented youngsters - Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic. I was soooo sad when lost to Turkey on pens at Euro 2008. So unlucky!! They could have won that Euro that year.

[@BC-th3mx]

Spain would've smashed them

[@bijou201]

@@BC-th3mx what if...what if. Yawn

[@BC-th3mx]

@@bijou201 Lol it's not really a "what if," we saw a much worse Spain team beat a much better Croatia coming off a WC final 6-0, they have a very good record against them, like Croatia does with Italy

[@bijou201]

@@BC-th3mx so basically you are saying that 2007 Croatia team ("worse" than Spain) could also win "much better" 2007 Spain. It can go vice versa too. Typical example of "what if". Btw in "Derby Adriatico" Italy never won vs Croatia (8 matches). ;)

[@marinmamic896]

@@BC-th3mx if there would be a "pool" of 50 milion croatians to get talents from you wouldnt have a chance.

[@aphelanofficial]

Probably the angriest I’ve been watching international football. Years later I can fully appreciate what a fantastic performance Croatia gave, absolutely deserved it, England were so poor on the night.

[@kelechiasika9429]

Or did Croatia make them so poor on that night?

[@cnote2458]

⁠​⁠@@kelechiasika9429if you watched us through the whole group of the qualifiers. You would say no to your question. Thats not dissing Croatia football as they played some lovely stuff. And fully deserved to go through. But England football during these qualifiers was so hard to watch. As we had the talent to do well at the tournament. But played the worse football I have seen from us. Drawing with Israel and Macedonia. And losing to Russia shows our football was shocking. Not dissing the teams that got points against us as fully deserved it (all were the better team in all games). But when you look at the talent McClaren had we should have topped the group. Maybe should have been close as Croatia had some good strength in their team. Like the guys at the end we was not angry that we lost. We were angry at the manner of how we lost. Zero fight through the whole competition and we got what we deserved. When your only prey is for Andorra to get a goal in their game to help you qualify. That tells the story of how poor England were lol.

[@johannsebastienbach]

​not rwally. Croatia didn do too much they sit there just neither dud modric did a lot to control the game. England just too shit

[@johannsebastienbach]

​@@cnote2458Nope playing barry and gerrard wright philips. They are all shit players just devoid of any technique. Any jumior football fan could tell that. England had no talent. The most skilfu player was joe cole wgo can olay some decent football. Gerrard is jsut a clown thay lobs ball high eevry time. Scholes am carrick would do way better😂

[@chrisjames5188]

Modric still looks the same 15 years later! What a player too

[@allthekingshorses7178]

If ever a footballing phrase was described as laughable it's 'England's Golden Generation' right here. Totally overrated, overhyped and an embarrassment to the nation

[@SuperTed19021]

Despite what was happening to the home team that night, a *sheer* footballing legend was born that night. Credit to Croatia!

[@marktipper994]

@ 2:16:10 Motson on Modric "..... and amidst all this mayhem, have we seen a star in the making tonight?" Spot on, Motty!⭐

[@AVAXII]

In qualifiers for WC 2010 England have beaten Croatia twice, and then lost in Ukraine to sent Croatia out of the playoffs. Croatia waited for almost 10 years to get back at England. And they did it in a World Cup semifinal.

[@saellenx3528]

Great rivalry. We beat them, they beat us, and so on. Cheers

[@davidlean1060]

England totally underestimated them that night too as I recall. It was the night Roy Keane mocked Ian Wright for 'planning the parades' before the game had even begun. No one does hubris like the English!

[@justchannel1568]

The best game in Russian football history. Using the opportunity, I want to say thanks a LOT to the Croats.

[@lupus_croatiae]

you wouldn't believe how many Croats wanted this outcome :)

[@orahovavucichitlerdacicgoe7223]

I heard you FA have sent some of most expensive cars to Croatian FA after this game..

[@JMB19941]

Gosh, as an England fan I still remember this disaster like it were yesterday. I was 13 at the time and had recently started taking an interest in football, and I was excited to watch in England in a major tournament for the first time as a fan. When Israel done us a huge favour a few days earlier I thought that we would certainly get the job done and qualify, but then what a rollarcoaster this match was which ended in despair and disbelief. Euro 2008 turned out be a great tournement as a neutral Sidenote - Motty's quote on Modric at 34:58 "he's the rising star of Croatian football, keep your eye on the number 14" how true those words rang

[@Onmysheet]

It was a shame England didn't qualify. All the players were at their prime at that point.

[@Danny____22]

@@Onmysheetunfortunately a lot of those England players played for rival teams and they put club over country that's why they never really achieved anything.

[@anfeariontach]

i was delighted because didn't qualify as it was the first euros or world cup that I remember England failing to qualify for.

[@haalandoates]

Makes you appreciate Southgate. England were dreadful under McClaren, they played 1 good game at home to Israel. 2nd halves at home to Russia and away to Estonia they were poor and rode their luck and they got their come uppance against the Croats. Let's remember as great as this generation of Croatians were England hammered them 4-1 in Zagreb under Capello 10 months after this travesty.

[@tonynesbit9673]

How shite was that England team one of the worst l can remember with the worst ever manager the less said about that muppet Carson the better what a dreadful goalie he was.

[@powderskier5547]

Croatia and England games are always great games

[@SuperTed19021]

I *just* love how Alan Hanson throughout his whole coverage of this game *tries* his upmost hardest to prevent his smirk.

[@classicsportclassictiyl8547]

but I have to agree with him with his comments England got what they deserved nothing.

[@SuperTed19021]

@@classicsportclassictiyl8547 *Exactly.*

[@SpeccyHorace]

Utmost

[@chrisevans5336]

Called the Carson error! 5:17🤣

[@fraser_mr2009]

@@MrKAKARONALDOMESSI He forgot that Alex Ferguson was manager.

[@danielandrews9028]

It's amazing how Terry and Ashley Cole weren't fit enough for this match but 3 days later they were both fit enough to start for Chelsea

[@Onmysheet]

And Gerrard too

[@srwilson3s2k14]

@@Onmysheet cowards

[@classicsportclassictiyl8547]

@@Onmysheet and he scored as well

[@paul1234730]

@@Onmysheet Gerrard played the fuck u talmbout

[@Onmysheet]

@@paul1234730 He wasn't at his best is what I'm "talmbout" 😆

[@oliverdesvaux]

Lescott, Richards, Bridge, Carson…. Thank you Croatia, you did us a favour! Can you imagine the HUMILIATION if England had actually qualified with this team at Euro 2008?!? 😂

[@pendafen7405]

Yes, this was a mercy

[@therebel4332]

Not to mention McLaren as manager...

[@bocjagne2878]

Not Bridge though, he was brilliant, defensively and going forward.

[@longlivetheboleyn1917]

Motson one of the best commentators of all time

[@dogsbollocksgenius9480]

He was brilliant, made so many goals even more historic. There are certain goals you think about and his commentary plays in your head straight away

[@dylanrobb1475]

Barry Davies was better so was Brain Moore, I still liked Motson though but preferred the other two, Peter Brackley was very good also..

[@SuperTed19021]

@@dogsbollocksgenius9480 Same here!

[@SuperTed19021]

@@dylanrobb1475 Peter Brackley, *sigh!* Also Brighton born and bred.

[@racerja3173]

I miss Motty he was a legend

[@luapslev5826]

It's amazing how Eduardo and Olić managed to score against a 5 man denfence.

[@Onmysheet]

Wayne Bridge's bad positioning was what played him onside.

[@jamesrennie92]

There were five defenders on the pitch. I think it's unfair to call that lot a "defence" on the night. They were really bad.

[@hrrlto]

The infamous Sol Campbell slide 😂 55:35

[@SuperTed19021]

That must have been the *complete* downward slide to stake any claim that the bloke was "world class".

[@Onmysheet]

​@@SuperTed19021He was great in his prime, but by this point he was nowhere near it.

[@jackmellor5536]

Ty "Lets not forget it was raining"

[@JW-zr4ju]

😂 Brilliant

[@That_Random_Bloke]

@Jack Mellor You’re a cheat! You’re a cheat and I hope you get relegated.

[@SuperTed19021]

🤣

[@simonjohnstone6671]

RIP John Motson the last time he would commentate an England match, as he retired from live broadcasting after the Euros the following year 2:21:11

[@andrewyoung1652]

What a legend motson was. And now we have to put up cringe buckets guy Mowbray and Steve Wilson, two of the most embarrassing commentators to ever walk the planet.

[@lukesmith9669]

This match is a really good example of Gerrard and Lampard's limitations as midfielders. Gerrard is all blood and thunder and no composure; whenever he gets the ball he immediately looks for a Hollywood ball, never taking control of the game or trying to dictate the pace, just hit and hope. Lampard meanwhile let's the game completely pass him by; doesn't offer himself for the ball to try to playmake, nor does he play up close to crouch to use his goalscoring instinct. Both of them were great in existing systems that played to their strengths, but neither of them were ever the truly complete midfielders people claim.

[@bocjagne2878]

The star of this match is...the kid in front of Scott Carson singing the England national anthem. That's what you call passion! This England team could have done with him on the pitch lol. Actually, England didn't deserve to lose the game because they came back from 2-down.

[@rohithraman6488]

Croatia should have scored 6 in that game, we weren't unlucky to lose 3-2, we were lucky it wasn't more.

[@SuperTed19021]

Should have been 6-2 Croatia.

[@josephhall1995]

@@SuperTed19021 Probably, but it was 2-3! Not much!!

[@richard7645]

Thanks for the support

[@Michael-cz6ob]

We?

[@barnbersonol]

Hanson at the end .."out thought and out fought" Shearer thinks ' I wonder if I'll ever get a chance to use that cool rhyming phrase"

[@footballchannel8430]

hahah ^^

[@joesakic91]

Sir Alan Shearer said that rant when England lost to Iceland in UEFA Euro 2016.

[@SuperTed19021]

Hansen gets home: *LMAO* himself to sleep.

[@Dhi77on]

Michael Carrick was criminally underused during this era

[@Mlaargaar]

Would’ve been brilliant at marking Modric out of the game.. Lampard and Gerrard gave him the freedom of the midfield in this game.

[@borisradmanic474]

38:53 England 0-1 Croatia (Niko Kranjčar) 44:22 England 0-2 Croatia (Ivica Olić) 1:42:44 England 1-2 Croatia (Frank Lampard) 1:52:25 England 2-2 Croatia (Peter Crouch) 2:04:41 England 2-3 Croatia (Mladen Petrić)

[@v4victory39]

Thx

[@jackrichardson4089]

Crouch takes his goal really well tbf. The poor attempt at holding a line for Olic's goal is comical though

[@moluther2826]

Crouch was virtually in the six yard box by the time Lampard struck the penalty.

[@mixertorca7917]

Thx😂❤️🤍💙🙌💪

[@MrAlumrocky]

modric as a teen made gerrard look so silly lol. Levels to the game.

[@dogsbollocksgenius9480]

People talk about gerrard/Lampard/Scholes, the best two midfielders to play in the PL are Modric and De Bruyne, different class

[@seanpadraigobrien1260]

@@dogsbollocksgenius9480 modric didnt play in England long enough

[@dogsbollocksgenius9480]

@@seanpadraigobrien1260 he didn’t leave spurs till he was about 27/28. He was brilliant at spurs, the English media just didn’t realise how good he was

[@tadhglattimore2439]

@@dogsbollocksgenius9480 you must have a short memory

[@dogsbollocksgenius9480]

@@tadhglattimore2439 of what?

[@dogsbollocksgenius9480]

Gerrard and Lampard in their prime getting bossed by a young Modric on their own turf

[@TheLusianPopa]

the whole Golden generation was at their absolute apex this is when the English clubs bossed the CL, 3 of 4 semi finalists every year

[@iTylerHimself]

They were both amazing players but none of them were exactly ever known for their ability to control a game, so why are you commenting like it's a surprise? Both were box to box midfielders. Modric wasn't/isn't.

[@dogsbollocksgenius9480]

@@iTylerHimself I’m not commentating like it’s a surprise, I know full well Luka Modric is a better footballer than either Lampard or Gerrard. I didn’t need this video to affirm it. I know Lampard and Gerrard were box to box midfielders, what’s your point? Roy Keane was a box to box midfielder, he controlled games, so was Patrick Vieira, controlled games too. None of them were as good as Modric either.

[@iTylerHimself]

@@dogsbollocksgenius9480 They're completely different players with completely different strengths, and only a simpleton would compare either of them to Modric. It's like comparing Kane to Suarez.

[@dogsbollocksgenius9480]

@@iTylerHimself behave yourself, you’re perfectly entitled to compare a centre midfielder to another centre midfielder, stop being a childish know it all

[@UzdahLjiljeNikolovske]

Classic BBC pundits... in 2006 (Croati won 1st leg 2:0) & 2007 talking about "bad english performance"... in 2018 as well... talking only about themselves... underestimating and never giving Croatia due credit... and they were beaten by world class team in all three occasions... completely detached from reality... just keep on doing that!

[@pendafen7405]

You're right that Ego, self-absorption (not the same as healthy confidence and self-regard, just backing oneself) and worst of all complacency are still the ruin of England nt. Until that's completely gone, we'll never win a cup.

[@scottirvine121]

The good old days of male pundits and commentators, no token guests

[@The11deano]

Micah Richards is just a laugh box without any idea what he's laughing at. He's not there for expertise, he's there to be annoying like Roy Keane is.

[@pendafen7405]

mate this commentary is dry af, just old drab men droning on

[@Gizo02]

This was after Israel had done England a huge favour by beating Russia as well. Despite England's absence, Euro 2008 was one of the most entertaining and best quality major tournaments that I've ever seen (Euro 2000 would come in first place).

[@1has9683]

Born and raised in London as a Turk.. to this day I'm always bitter that I wasn't born a few years earlier :( Only 6 years old when Turkey reached the Semis, can hardly remember anything from that tournament

[@awsanteina5152]

@@1has9683 if it weren't for Brazil the 2002 world cup would've been fully Turkish

[@MikeyJMJ]

@@1has9683 I was 9 and supporting Croatia so I was disappointed when Turkey knocked them out. Altintop was a great player in his prime

[@ezraezra2928]

Russia football was, at that time, the dark horse story. In Euro 2008, even though they lost heavily to eventual champions Spain with tiki taka, they managed to stun the Netherlands that topped the group of death. In World Cup 2018, as a host, they destroyed Saudi Arabia with 5 goals and even finally got a revenge against Spain to reach the quarterfinal. Now, they are just a Nazi Germany looking for colonizing the nations. We want a football, not a war.

[@Matthew-bu7fg]

@@1has9683 I remember everything. I remember the whole "will we get a group stage penalty shootout" when the Czechs and Turks played. Also the fallout from Cech dropping the ball at 2-1 up and the talk afterwards about whether he was on the decline. I remember when Croatia scored in the quarter final I asked my brother "how long left?" to which my brother replied "doesn't matter, it's over!" ... suffice to say Semih scored that memorable leveller and Turkey won the shootout Great tournament!

[@rexstout8177]

My god, how trim Ian Wright used to look. Quite Dapper too.

[@Superdelphinus]

It’s kind of amazing that Lineker has never managed to lose his ability to talk over people all of the time and then leave awkward silences lol.

[@pendafen7405]

it's his gimmick at this point

[@jimwatson3382]

I thought his gimp's were hanson and lawrenson 😂

[@Pete_Mathew_Miocic]

What Superb team Croatia had at Euro 2008, we won all 3 match at group stage within Germany wich was in Final later. And then lost vs very very Lucky Turkey at penalty shoutout

[@PaYaB_005]

Yep, you should have played us(Czechia) anyway, you would have beaten us really easily I think.. Insted you got what one of the most luckiest teams ever who scored almost all of their goals with some lucky deflections or after players making schoolboy mistakes (Petr Cech)..

[@Charliep-gc5bo]

@@PaYaB_005 ur still salty 😂😂😂

[@HrvojeBan]

​@PaYaB_005 Czech Republic is still one of only couple of teams we (Croatia) never managed to beat at a big international competition. We drew the group games at Euro 2016 and Euro 2020. Other teams that we never can beat and played against at least twice (from the top of my head) - France (lost the WC 1998 semi, drew Euro 2004 group game and lost the 2018 WC final), Portugal (lost the group game at Euro 1996 and the Euro 2016 round of 16 game), Mexico (lost WC group games in 2002 and 2014, the latter was especially painful because it was the last group game and meant that we didn't progress to the knockout stage, also fascinating to me is that Mexico in the last 20 years or so almost always qualifies to the World Cup knockout round and then it gets eliminated immediately in the round of 16, Croatia is completely different, doesn't qualify to the knockout round everytime, but when it does it finishes the tournament with a medal).

[@petersyme7083]

Hansen is a brilliant actor, he must have been pissing himself laughing!

[@SuperTed19021]

He must of had the *strongest* bladder and lips ever, to witness not only this, but also what was going to befall this England team in the years ahead.

[@That_Random_Bloke]

Hansen’s right. We deserved nothing. Croatia should have won by more! Although the next qualifying campaign would be a different story.

[@wirelad2007]

When female pundits weren't forced on men's football

[@MrIsh-cw9tr]

Better coverage than nowadays

[@nickbruce9270]

The game when England failed to qualify for the EURO 2008.

[@josephhall1995]

Definitely it was the rainy night on the 21st November 2007, England never made it to Euro 2008 after losing only 2-3 against Croatia! But whereas last summer, they played well to get to the finals, despite having lost in the penalties to Italy which was a bit of a shame! They should be proud of themselves for getting in the finals though!!

[@SuperTed19021]

@@josephhall1995 It *really* was the World Cup '82 qualifying campaign all over again. Just with England at the losing end this time.

[@racerja3173]

@@SuperTed19021 not to mention when England failed to qualify for 1994 World Cup

[@SuperTed19021]

@@racerja3173 *EXACTLY!* For the same, similar reasons as this campaign. Failing to beat Macedonia at home or Israel away in 2006-07 was exactly like failing to beat Norway at home or Poland away in 1992-93, hence why we didn't qualify.

[@racerja3173]

@@SuperTed19021 well at least we are dominating our euro 2024 qualifying group today

[@aaanawaleh]

Very entertaining game to watch but my god England were shambolic. Drawing against the likes of Israel and Macedonia prior to this is a disgrace. Even during this game, they had absolutely no control and couldn't really maintain possession. Just hoofball up to lanky Crouch. This was a team that prioritised club football over England. When people criticise Southgate and the current england team, I point them to the golden generation and the team prior to 2018. There's proper unity and passion in the team. We actually control games now and we qualify for tournaments comfortably. And when we get to tournaments, we actually go deep (Semis in 2018, Final in 2021 and unlucky to lose against France in QF 2022). So when we inevitably go deep in Euro 2024 and lose to France in the semis or final, look back on games like this before crying about the team.

[@Onmysheet]

Isreal's home record was very good in this qualifying tournament, even though England should've sneaked a win. The home game against Macedonia was the match that cost them qualification.

[@damirblazevic4823]

Unlucky loss to France? So, am I to guess there is such a thing as a "lucky loss" or maybe an "unlucky win"?

[@gavinhay6627]

That was a great match and a great day for Croatia.

[@margaridacosta270]

For Russia was even better.

[@dannyesse3043]

I love Beckam, incredible player, so much quality and workrate.

[@joesakic91]

The UEFA Euro 2008 qualification shouldn't came down to two games against Russia and Croatia had England had a win against Macedonia inside Old Trafford when they had a goalless draw.

[@nicholasweaver7809]

When you have an over confident manager who really doesn't have a fucking clue what he is doing this is the result, McLaren thought he was going to walk into that job totally re arrange the team and win trophies.

[@joesakic91]

@@nicholasweaver7809 I also remember Steve McLaren having the braggadocio to call England, "Club England," when he took the English post.

[@SuperTed19021]

@@joesakic91 *SMFH!* PS: *Just* listen to him at 10:29.

[@Onmysheet]

​@@nicholasweaver7809I think the big paycheqes distracted him throughout his time as manager.

[@nicholasweaver7809]

@@joesakic91 The guy was an absolute clown along with Roy Hodgeson Neither of them could run a Sunday league team

[@user-fs9ef4ji4o]

They should've won Macedonia game in Wembley. That is the main reason England Did fail to secure the Qualification position.

[@classicsportclassictiyl8547]

The Old Trafford game

[@SuperTed19021]

Along with only drawing 0-0 away in Israel in March that year. Also the 0-0 against Macedonia in October the previous year like you mentioned.

[@godseye13k]

Is Modric the only person thats still playing today. 🤔🤔🤔 out of all the 22.

[@gt5man21]

RIP John Motson

[@sheepay99]

Beckham's cross was ridonculous to be fair.

[@TheIkaraCult]

Iconic game and moment for my generation of England fans. 22 year olds today wouldnt even conceive of us not qualifying for a tournament.

[@godseye13k]

Can thank the system they finally put it place for the kids for that. 20 yrs later we see the results. We looked at our fierce enemies and took what they did. Now we have replaced them, other than the trophys that is.

[@MegaDeansy]

​@@godseye13k'other than the trophies that is' being the issue, so you HAVEN'T replicated what the Germans, Italians, Brazilians etc do !

[@godseye13k]

@@MegaDeansy the f u talking about.

[@godseye13k]

@@MegaDeansy I was on about yhe young players and the training they were given. And in that case we have matched and now bettered them. The f u on about. Having your own chat with yourself. Not even reading what i was on about. F youtube for ya. Full of clowns.

[@australiaprisonisland9156]

Great atmosphere and also excellent commentary.

[@kingflixmovies837]

This game imo shuts down the idea that England not winning anything in this period was down to them simply not being good enough. Loads of these players ended their careers with Premier league and champions league medals, yet they couldn't even qualify for the euros? Definitely something wrong with their attitude...

[@leemc5646]

The pressure and expectation at that time was too much. Their club managers evolved tactically but the England managers were still playing a rigid 4-4-2 most of the time. Beckham had too much influence and was undroppable for a long time.

[@TPH250290]

@@leemc5646 "Beckham had too much influence and was undroppable for a long time." If Beckham hadn't come on at half time England would've lost 3+ - 0. The only player with any passion for the national team in this period, when you consider players like Terry and Cole stayed at home.

[@SuperTed19021]

@@TPH250290 *What difference would that make if Croatia beat us 4, 5, 6 to nil,* (which they should have have done anyway)? England didn't deserve anything from this match and it was a blessing that really we didn't qualify for that tournament. If we have kept it to a drew and gone through, it would have been an *complete* injustice to Croatia to how they handled the game and played and how we performed. If we really deserved a place at Euro 2008, we *should not* have drawn at Israel away and Macedonia at home. Also, despite his passion that night, Becks made poor judgement in marking for Croatia's winning goal and it was his influence again that made Capello's reign crash and burn that came after this, not to mention good-old 4-4-2 and media/FA pressure.

[@TPH250290]

@@SuperTed19021 You're responding to things I never argued.

[@CMJames]

They won those accolades surrounded by talented foreign counterparts. To this day, it’s the foreign talent that gives the EPL its status. This England were mediocre and so were their results. Current England squad have a lot to prove and conquer

[@fraser_mr2009]

The amount of aimless long balls England play... The current England team is definitely better.

[@leemc5646]

There were pundits at the time saying the England team can only play Premier league style football I.e. Get the ball and attack get it forward quickly. International football you need more patience and keep the ball

[@tadhglattimore2439]

well when corouch is your striker what else you gonna do.

[@SuperTed19021]

*Yep!* But the system is as much to blame as the players. Was then and is now.

[@fraser_mr2009]

@@tadhglattimore2439 Hoof it to crouch? Was that the gameplan?

[@fraser_mr2009]

@@leemc5646 The midfield back then didn't like tight spaces. That England squad were never favorites to win tournaments. The current England team is superior.

[@HHHBFResurrected]

Oh god this game. Don't think I've ever felt worse as an England fan honestly. Looking back now Bilic's Croatia & Hiddink's Russia were WAY better than I ever gave them credit for at the time, if I remember right both had very good Euro 2008 tournaments, but even so this felt horrible. Iceland had nothing on this. That England team was ordinary & the manager was having mares all over the place, being embarrassed by them felt inevitable. This England team I expected better.

[@marcuslavaggi-bowen6539]

Yeah, this was supposed to be our "GG" or "Golden Generation".

[@andrewjoyce9038]

Nothing felt as horrible as losing a euros final on penalties

[@HHHBFResurrected]

@@andrewjoyce9038 I'd mentally prepared for that, got more than enough practice coping with losing on penalties as an England fan lol. Plus my club has lost a Champions League Final on penalties so wasn't new territory for me.

[@Onmysheet]

McLaren definitely thought Croatia (Who already qualified) would lie down. That's why he chose Carson.

[@creasicle]

The media wanted McLaren and they got their man. He was completely and utterly out of his depth. He had what was a decent England side playing like a League 2 side in a fourth round FA Cup tie. Dark times.

[@harold5337]

I remember this. I remember being so upset England didn’t make it, so I decided to support Spain in the tournament. Spain were utterly fantastic, and was the start of something special for Spain.

[@jackrichardson4089]

Euro 2008 is still my favourite tournament of all time. Some excellent football and matches. Turkey were fantastic.

[@harold5337]

@@jackrichardson4089 Turkey were great, even better than they were at euro 2000. Russia also had a good showing too, their best since 1988

[@pendafen7405]

You made the right choice. During this era/decade many of us EPL fans & Brits switched from supporting England to another national team, just for the pain relief. e.g. I was always a dual fan of both England & Wales' teams, but after this performance I definitely lost interest and stopped watching England for a good ten years.

[@australiaprisonisland9156]

@@pendafen7405 10 years in hibernation! What did you take for pain relief? Your expectations are too high. The English were always ordinary and overated. Over 80,000 screaming supporters at home!! What are they like away?

[@australiaprisonisland9156]

The Spanish don't want your support. Your not Spanish!! You need to go into hibernation until the English get getter.

[@MaximusOwen1]

The Wembley pitch really was terrible in the first couple of years. Took them a while to sort it out properly.

[@racerja3173]

It’s a lot better today

[@tahidhanna]

When england could not pass the ball simply 5 yards with out hitting it too hard or slow, and the player receiving could not control it with out the ball bubbling or doing a bad touc, only hoof ball was their identity. Got to say they improved now, and can play like rest of the world

[@oracle8589]

Your acting like England never knew how to play good football. They had some excellent teams in the 66, 86, 90 and 96 playing all out attacking football. This team simply didn’t gel because of club rivalry’s and poor management from McLaren and then Capello. The next England fans think of criticising Southgate, they should come back and watch this video. Not since the early 00s has the England team been more settled

[@Dead-Ball-Situation]

@@oracle8589 Yes but his point was about the ability to pass a ball and he is right. Go back to the days of 90 and 96 and 86 - statistically, the amount of completed England passes is far less than what it is today. They'd complete maybe 4 or 5 passes before losing the ball or trying a long ball. Football has evolved since then. Even the GErmans complete more passes now than they used to. But it has taken England much longer to be able to do it.

[@pendafen7405]

@@oracle8589 Southgate has the benefit of managing players who work under elite world-class European coaches, so they walk in the door of SGP with passing game. His job is rather easy once he's got the lads on his side and working together.

[@BC-th3mx]

@@oracle8589 Lol 66 did NOT play attacking football, set a record for fewest goals scored by a champion, one of only a few who finished below 2 goals per match because their players have never been very talented, but make up for it with organization and discipline

[@Onmysheet]

​@Dead-Ball-Situation The England from 2003 - 2016 were awful tactically. They had the players but still couldn't make it work, especially in 2006 - 2008.

[@santosrobertlele9885]

I remember this as if it was yesterday, Beckham was my hero growing up, this match hurts me 10x more as it meant I would never see Beckham play for England in an international tournament again. How I felt when Crouch scored the equaliser was second to none, I celebrated that goal as if it was a last minute winner, I'll never forgive McClaren for this.

[@purpledragons1146]

What about the players such as Terry, Lampard and Gerrard who let their country down by not performance? McClaren wasn't entirely at fault although we were certain to achieve nothing under him.

[@danielnuttman6511]

@@purpledragons1146John Terry wasn’t playing😂

[@purpledragons1146]

@@danielnuttman6511 Though he was able to start for Chelsea 3 days after the decisive qualifier he wasn't even fit enough to make the squad for.

[@richardscales9795]

Beckham always was an overrated athlete. More of a commercial celebrity than a footballer.

[@Kingofthekop1]

@@purpledragons1146 Not much Gerrard or Lampard could do about that awful defence and goalkeeper tbf, it should have been 8-2. Plus it was common knowledge by 2007 that they couldn’t play together in midfield yet McLaren still did it.

[@user-cd6jv4hv4i]

VERYGOODMATCH

[@balkanboy864]

Proud to be a Croat !

[@godseye13k]

Those who lived through 1996 will know we will never see those times again. That world was like a diff planet to this one.

[@Poseiden2]

"They don't get much lower than this". Iceland 2016: "hold my beer!"

[@awsanteina5152]

It's up there with: 1-Norway beating England 1981 2-Holland beating England 1993 3-Iceland beating England 2016

[@ezraezra2928]

The defeat against Netherlands was not a shocking because at that time they still had some world class players like Ronald Koeman and Dennis Bergkamp. However, I will still consider that 0-2 loss as humiliating because a win must be required for England to keep them alive. The last game against San Marino is meaningless because had Serenissima didn't score the shocking goal, England are still failed to qualify if they lost to Dutch side.

[@SuperTed19021]

@@ezraezra2928 What about losing 2-0 away to Norway in that same campaign? And the Norwegians back then had hardly any world class players.

[@captainfalconmain6576]

Where is that 1950 usa win over England 😂

[@miha2451]

Non of these are 2x medalist from WC, and 2nd most sucessfull nation after France in last 30 years... England was a serious underdog here ❤

[@busydad4858]

Iceland has got to be the worst one, that was basically the equivalent of a Premier League side losing to a semi professional part time team in the FA Cup.

[@racerja3173]

The 2007-2016 era was so bad Not qualifying for Euro 2008 Not getting out of the group stage in Brazil 2014 Losing to Iceland at Euro 2016

[@ThatBritishSnep]

Not to mention being outplayed by Germany in 2010 and Italy in 2012 (we were lucky it went to pens tbh)

[@racerja3173]

@@ThatBritishSnep Lampard’s goal being disallowed when it clearly crossed the line

[@ThatBritishSnep]

@@racerja3173 Still angry at that now

[@racerja3173]

@@ThatBritishSnep same here pal

[@kommissar.murphy]

The greatest sound in football is England fans booing their own team. Nobody does it better!

[@Stu.6]

McClaren what a waste of space

[@AbdiqalisMohamud010]

How poor was England midfield this game? Down 3-2 with 14 mins left and couldn't get control of the ball. Gerrard and Lampard were a disaster in the last 10 minutes . 11 years after this game and Croatia led by Modric destroyed England midfield again. Kinda funny

[@longlovesretro]

You know we beat them in 2009 5-1 and stopped them going to the World Cup right? and we beat them at Euro 2020 as well

[@joshfeehan6929]

@@longlovesretro you didn't stop England qualifying for South Africa although looking back would've been better.

[@JC-mj3ss]

@@longlovesretro and lost in semi 2018 😄

[@longlovesretro]

@@JC-mj3ss still won as much as Croatia that year :)

[@busydad4858]

Lol how did some people not see this defeat coming. What a poor England lineup and bench managed by a terrible coach. The infamous umbrella is such an appropriate metaphor

[@KevCraven]

We had a gig this night in a pub. We played to 3 people. We even postponed it until after the match. I watched the game. Painful!

[@thepeteles]

Croatia played confident and relaxed. England couldn't quite find their groove. The penalty given was a soft one while the second goal was well taken.

[@josephhall1995]

Yeah, they were terrible on that day. They were utter shit when they lost 2-3 to Croatia and never made it to Euro 2008... Shocking when Steve McClaren lost his job as England manager and the infamous Italian football manager, Fabio Capello took over the team long before Gareth Southgate!

[@SuperTed19021]

@@josephhall1995 You must remember *how* lacking the "Golden Generation" of the England national football team was. No goalkeepers, no strikers makes a lot. Doesn't matter how many stars/names you fit into a squad.

[@josephhall1995]

@@SuperTed19021 perhaps I will have to remember the golden generation…

[@SuperTed19021]

@@josephhall1995 Which was in 1966 *only!*

[@Onmysheet]

Shame England didn't qualify. That year England had the best team who's players were at their peak.

[@user-lj6jp8qp7z]

Still remember this game like it was yesterday. Mad times

[@racerja3173]

Before Southgate came in England were a shambles not qualifying for the 1994 World Cup, failed to qualify for euro 2008, didn’t get out of the group in Brazil 2014 and the biggest one was losing to Iceland at euro 2016

[@Dead-Ball-Situation]

In 2006, I actually placed a bet on England to not qualify from this group. I just thought Croatia, Russia and Israel would be tough opponents for them and they were being under estimated (typical pundits) IMO. Anyway, I put £10 at 11/2. I actually thought they were quite short odds and remember feeling disappointed. Still, I placed the bet and 15 months later, collected my winnings. Also, every time I watch back these games/highlights, when England got knocked out - the pundits have always been over confident about England winning the game. The ultimate kiss of death.

[@captainfalconmain6576]

Did you predict for them to qualfy for the 2010 World Cup at least lol

[@pendafen7405]

what did you spend your winnings on lad

[@Onmysheet]

How much did you win?

[@ipc8255]

​@@pendafen7405booze, what else...

[@TheLIMREPORT]

I remember watching this game at a pub in Heidelberg. Wow.

[@oliverbayley3509]

1. England were gifted another chance to qualify by the freak result of Israel beating Russia. 2. England only needed a draw. 3. Croatia had already qualified. BAD BAD BAD BAD BAD

[@AA-yz2ue]

"unless Andorra score against Russia in the next 3 mins" legendary shithousery 😂😂😂😂

[@jackcrawford3921]

I also remember going to watch this match at a pub with my Dad and his best mate, but I was so ill that night my mum had to pick me up and take me home

[@allthekingshorses7178]

Ian Wright was simply an awful pundit, man is a blithering idiot "I AIN'T GOT NUFFINK TO SAY LINKS"

[@t-778]

a beautiful example of when the favorites really trash the underdogs. britain never had a chance against croatia.

[@damirblazevic4823]

Britain?

[@Red__Law]

Forgot just how good of a pundit Hansen was, spoke alot of sense with real authority.

[@SuperTed19021]

And how he also managed also to keep his clean trousers dry throughout without p***ing himself.

[@tashrif46]

1:52:34 old man Beckham still had it.

[@thomaslippiatt7107]

Thank god Steve didn’t try to drop him for no reason. Oh wait

[@SuperTed19021]

@@thomaslippiatt7107 And also his influence had Wally's successor Fabby going down in equal flames.

[@hussainmartins5985]

​@@SuperTed19021how so?

[@Onmysheet]

Terrible managing from McLaren here. He chose Carson in goal over James who had more experience, which Croatia took advantage of. Why pick Carson in such a crucial game?

[@leemc5646]

James was a terrible keeper but Carson was shaky as f**k

[@Onmysheet]

@@leemc5646 All keepers make mistakes in their careers but Carson was bound to be nervy on a soggy pitch.

[@Scottfree166]

@@leemc5646 then came the world class (🤣🤣) Robert Green 🙈🙈

[@macpac22]

That Beckham pass....

[@Mr_Muscollo_Dalmatian]

-Eduardo pass also

[@haalandoates]

Frank Lampard made his ENG debut under Keegan vs Belgium at the tail-end of '99

[@SuperTed19021]

@@MrKAKARONALDOMESSI When we robbed Scotland of a place in Euro 2000? Not to mention it would have done that tournament *as much* of a favour as this did.

[@gwangi64]

McLaren had to go after this disastrous performance. I could never understand why he jettisoned Paul Robinson so quickly, who had done well in goal before making one bad mistake in the away defeat to Croatia. Bringing in Scott Carson for this game certainly didn't work.

[@thetwitterlectual9528]

Agreed. I thought England looked pretty solid with him in goal. And it wasn’t even really a mistake in the away game, it was just a freak goal.

[@busydad4858]

It’s like a game from a whole different era. For those who weren’t around, this is an education. This is how dreadful England used to be sometimes. Carson in the first half looked like someone who had won a competition to play for England. The tactics for the whole game were horrid as well. McLaren had England playing like a Non league side with all of the long balls up to Peter Crouch. (probably the only England player here who put in a shift!)

[@marinmamic896]

by default english players are worth more on foot market, in reallity this croatian team had more knowledge, they were better team

[@jimikguitar]

Croatia 4milion people. London at least 3 times more. I am Croatian. What hurts is that bit of arogance...english media, some players too. I forgive all, I have many good frieds in UK. Just... guys stop it. love

[@andrewjoyce9038]

England not uk

[@SuperTed19021]

Ouch, don't say UK! Scotland came *incredibly* close to qualifying for Euro 2008 in that same qualifying campaign with a *much* harder group (France, Italy and Ukraine). Same with Northern Ireland (Spain, Denmark, Sweden). Both with much lower populations and players available. I also remember Scotland got *unbelievably* robbed against Italy at Hampden in the dying minutes of that game. It was only England that stunk the place out whilst Wales was in translation (e.g. the emergence of Bale/Ramsey).

[@chriswilliamson7694]

So much for England's 'Golden Generation'. Absolutely ludicrous how overrated that lot were. Ashley Cole was world class, fair enough - the rest of them, such as Beckham, Lampard, Gerrard, Ferdinand, Campbell, Scholes, Rooney etc., were ludicrously overrated. Did nothing of note at international level.

[@danegel]

What did Ashley Cole do of note for England? Rooney was the last striker to perform at a major tournament until Harry Kane 14 years later

[@joesakic91]

@@danegel Wayne Rooney was in beast form in UEFA Euro 2004 until his foot injury against Portugal and wasn't the same after that.

[@OneBiteoftheCherry]

Beckham was one of England's greatest players so don't talk shit. He got us out of so many tight matches and he was the best captain I remember. Scholes was great for both club and country. Lampard and Gerrard were both great for their respective clubs and often put in great performances for England, but often couldn't gel well together. Rooney is joint top scorer with Harry Kane and had an immense career with ManU. You don't know what you're talking about. The problem laid with a lot of the players from different teams being rivals, that and average management.

[@chriswilliamson7694]

@@OneBiteoftheCherry , if Beckham was one of England's greatest players of all time then maybe that's an indicator of why we've won fuck all since 1966. The beatification of a man who never had a standout tournament for England in five attempts and whose crowning glory was a free kick in a qualifier against Greece never ceases to amaze me. Don't even get me fucking started on Scholes. All his devotees can ever come up with is quotes about him from Zidane or Socrates - never actually any defining performances. His performances after 2001 absolutely stank, hence he had to be shunted out to the left to make way for Lampard and Gerrard in the middle at Euro 2004. Yeah we had some inept managers but so have England's current lot, and they've done much more on the international scene than the 'Golden Generation'.

[@HHHBFResurrected]

The individual players weren't overrated what so ever. Most of them at one point were called generational talents by players who did win World Cup's & Champions League's regularly. The two things people just didn't take into consideration at the time were, (a) the midfield was incapable of working together without someone needing to be sacrificed, and (b) good as this team was, the rest of the world's best had pretty good teams as well. Which is still a problem today btw, people giving Southgate a hard time for not beating France, forgetting how ludicrously stacked France's talent pool is right now. This happened in 2008 because we were being lead by a dud. I'll never forget McClaren dropping Beckham boldly declaring this is a new era for England, only to go crawling back to him to save his job lol. Joke of a manager.

[@tashrif46]

Honestly, the English defending was shambolic. Probably the effect of not using Michael Carrick at all in the defensive midfield position and then the likes of John Terry, Rio Ferdinand and Ashley Cole not even playing. I remember this was a big deal that England failed to make a major tournament, there was such an outcry in 2007 and who knows what England might have done at had they even qualified for Euro 2008 because the Golden Generation was certainly on their last legs.

[@tadhglattimore2439]

well Golden generation played WC 2010, so they were in theory al at their peak in 2008.

[@tashrif46]

@Tadhg Lattimore I mean 2010 they lost all momentum with the Wayne Rooney injury before the World Cup and then Robert Green blunder in the first game shot all sort of confidence in that team

[@tadhglattimore2439]

@@tashrif46 that doesnt make any sense. How can you lose all momentum because of an injury to one player. France lost multiple players this world cup and were still mentally strong. And as for greens mistake, one gk mistake cannot make a whole team lose confidence they made it through the group. They lost momentum because they shrink in the limelight and play with no courage. They had more than enough quality to do well in both tournaments. They were mentally weak from the start waiting for a mistake or injustice to blame.

[@tashrif46]

@Tadhg Lattimore well thats a credit for France and Didier Deschamps that they didn't. But England relied on Wayne Rooney for goals and it was clear that he was nowhere near 100%. And after that Green mistake, they lost all confidence. The evidence is in their performance, they played safe and not to lose. Dont ask me why.

[@golgotha3938]

If England had got to euro 2008 they would've gone out to the first decent team they played just like every other tournament since.

[@jackcrawford3921]

This was of course the match that of course cost us qualification for Euro 2008, but look at how far we've come since then

[@andoholloway5343]

The whole 2007-2016 era was just a horrible slog. We are so much better now, with a semi final and final, and people still moan at them lol

[@jackcrawford3921]

@@andoholloway5343 yes with the worst moment after this one being the 2014 World Cup

[@andoholloway5343]

Personally I think its losing to Iceland in Euro 16

[@jackcrawford3921]

@@andoholloway5343 yes I agree

[@longlovesretro]

@@andoholloway5343 the Iceland result was finally the turning point for England

[@KiwiFishLu]

What did you expect from a cb pairing of Cambpell and Lescott in hindsight. Not saying any of them were bad but that was such a odd and random cb pairing

[@jmoney8580]

“This is a corner, beckham to take it please” looooooooool

[@ThatBritishSnep]

Next time you hear someone slating Southgate, show them this game.

[@capri2673]

I couldn't believe Sol Campbell thought he should get a knighthood. Surreal.

[@SuperTed19021]

The guy had two, three or four decent games in an England shirt (1998 (both qualifying and the WC), Euro 2000? and Euro 2004), but that was it. *Never in his life was "world class" even in his prime.* Just another one that was helped at club football by superior foreign players. At this point however, he was *beyond* passed it.

[@giles852002]

May sound mean, but I was actually happy we failed to qualify as I wanted Steve out as boss. Never rated him as a manager & was always the wrong choice for manager.

[@benjamineckford1718]

Incredible how complacent England were

[@busydad4858]

England’s defending for the second Croatia goal is amazing, diabolical, Wayne Bridge stood in no man’s land creating a free passage through for onside. 2 v 5 !

[@georgeball6997]

Just shows how important having a good keeper is england havent had a decent keeper since the 90s, seamen was well into his mid 30s in 2002 and then after that david james , paul robinson , rob green etc. Look at the all the pther countires golden generations they had buffon casilias barthez etc

[@guinnessharvey4476]

2.19.38 how good is that?? That’s how confident and good a young Modric was

[@kylemc0254]

Why on earth did we allow American football game to happen before this game should of played at Old Trafford if Wembley weren't good enough

[@borednow5838]

As much as I think it maybe time for Southgate to move on, its worth remembering just how dire things were in the past and this really was a low point, ha!

[@busydad4858]

I agree, we should criticise Southgate when he gets it wrong, but his tenure overall has been poles apart from what we used to sit through under failed England managers like Hodgson, Capello, and McLaren. England nowadays get booed off at half time by some of the younger fans when they’re not battering the other team, which shows how far England have come because they used to be a lot lot worse.

[@jerryczech953]

I was betting in internet cafe near Leicester Square,watching in local bar ...of course ..on England ..I could notbelieve they did not qualified on Euros ...golden generation hmmm... I love about 200 quid ,which was huge munnie for me back than ... Wally with the brolly and great Croatien effort ...

[@manusiaganteng2753]

Archaic tactics from McLaren, just hit towards Crouch and hope.

[@SuperTed19021]

The players and the coaching system were also to blame.

[@TrellAliii]

“My Goodness they’ve come to play today Croatia” Translation: “They are whooping our ass rn”

[@anthtan]

Croatia had qualified already, right? That had nothing at stake in the game. England probably thought they would simply roll over. But the Croats have too much pride to treat any game as a dead rubber.

[@SuperTed19021]

@@anthtan Apparently behind the scenes, the Croats really wanted to thrash us.