England need a point against Croatia to qualify for Euro 2008. Here skysports.com looks at previous make-or-break games.
England need a point against Croatia on Wednesday to secure qualification for Euro 2008. Here skysports.com looks at England's previous make-or-break matches.
England v Greece - 2001
Sven Goran Eriksson's men went into the clash with the Greeks at Old Trafford needing just a point to qualify for the 2002 World Cup. They went behind to Angelos Charisteas' strike but hit back through Teddy Sheringham. It appeared England would have to rely on the lottery of the play-offs to get through to Japan and South Korea after Demis Nikolaidis put the visitors ahead once again but David Beckham scored a stunning free-kick deep in injury time to send England through.
England v Scotland - 1999
England stumbled into Euro 2000 after a two-leg play-off victory. Paul Scholes scored twice as England won 2-0 in the first leg at Hampden Park. However, a poor performance at Wembley and a solitary Don Hutchison goal saw the Scots claim their first win in England since May 1981 although it was not enough to stop Kevin Keegan's men from qualifying.
England v Holland - 1993
The two games were vital to both sides' hopes of making the 1994 World Cup. England were in control when they took a 2-0 lead at Wembley before Dennis Bergkamp pulled one back and Peter van Vossen levelled with five minutes to go. In the return game, the controversial decision not to send off Ronald Koeman despite a professional foul on David Platt was compounded when the same player scored the first goal. Bergkamp then sealed the victory as England crashed out.
Poland v England - 1991
England entered the final game of their campaign needing a draw to reach the 1992 European Championships. The hosts took the lead in Poznan when Gary Mabbutt deflected a free-kick wide of goalkeeper Chris Woods. Then with just 13 minutes left, Gary Lineker spun and volleyed into the net as England edged out the Republic of Ireland for a spot in Sweden.
England v Poland - 1973
England needed a win to qualify for the 1974 World Cup in West Germany when the Poles visited Wembley. Poland took the lead before an Allan Clarke penalty threw England a lifeline. Despite laying siege to the Poland goal, England were thwarted by a combination of poor finishing, strong defending and superb goalkeeping by Jan Tomaszewski - dubbed a clown in the build-up by Brian Clough.
