England failed to qualify for next year's European Championships after losing a sensational game 3-2 to Croatia at Wembley on Wednesday.

England's David Beckham stretches to score during their Euro 2008 Group E qualifying soccer match against Croatia at Wembley on Nov. 21, 2007. England failed to qualify for next year's European Championships after losing a sensational game 3-2 to Croatia at Wembley. (Photo: Sina.com)

The defeat allowed Russia to clinch qualification behind Croatia in Group E with a narrow 1-0 win at Andorra while England was eliminated only one point behind.

Trailing 2-0 into the second half, a Frank Lampard penalty and a superb Peter Crouch finish of David Beckham's cross in nine minutes seemingly sent the hosts through into the finals.

But Mladen Petric fired in from 25 yards to break England's hearts 13 minutes from the end.

It will be the first time for England to miss a major tournament since 1994 and the result will probably cost Steve McClaren his job as England manager.

England manager Steve McClaren watches his team lose 3-2 to Croatia in a Group E Euro 2008 Qualifying game at Wembley, in north London. England has failed to qualify for the Euro 2008 tournament. (Photo: Sina.com)

"It's a huge disappointment for the majority of, for everyone of the nation," said McClaren.

"It's not time for recrimination. It's not time to say what should have been done, what shouldn't.

"I'm not stepping down. I'm not thinking about my future. I'm thinking about the game. It's a huge disappointment," he said.

Scott Carson, in for regular Paul Robinson, proved a deadly choice by McClaren as the 22-year-old international rookie helped Niko Kranjcar's speculative 35-yard shot into the net only eight minutes into the game.

Ivica Olic made it 2-0 for Croatia six minutes later when he beat an offside trap before tapping into the empty net.

England's David Beckham reacts following their Euro 2008 Group E qualifying soccer match against Croatia at Wembley stadium in London Nov. 21, 2007. (Photo:  Sina.com)

England's David Beckham applauds the crowd following their Euro 2008 Group E qualifying soccer match against Croatia at Wembley stadium in London Nov. 21, 2007. (Photo:  Sina.com)

England's (L-R) Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Sol Campbell react after Croatia's third goal during their Euro 2008 Group E qualifying soccer match at Wembley stadium in London Nov. 21, 2007. 

(Xinhua News Agency November 22, 2007)