Croatia still in command of Group E

Substitute Darijo Srna scored one and made another as Croatia came from behind to claim a 2-1 win and a vital three points against 10-man FYR Macedonia.

Goce Sedloski, who would later be sent-off, scored the opener in the first half but that was cancelled out shortly after the interval by Srna.

The midfielder then laid on the winner for Eduardo Da Silva late on to keep Croatia at the top of Euro 2008 qualifying Group E.

A double from striker Alexander Kerzhakov earned Russia a victory over Estonia in Tallinn to keep Guus Hiddink’s side on course to reach next year’s finals in Austria and Switzerland.

Kerzhakov had earned a recall to the Russian ranks thanks to an injury to striker Roman Pavluchenko and netted both goals to justify it.

Russia remain second, two points behind the pacesetters.

England stumbled to a goalless draw in Israel as their Euro 2008 qualification hopes took another downturn.

There was precious little evidence of the ’stand and deliver’ rallying cry coach Steve McClaren used to send his team into battle and, with seven games of the campaign still remaining, England can barely afford another slip if they are not to miss their first major tournament since the 1994 World Cup.

McClaren’s men are third, five points adrift of Croatia with all but the winless bottom pair of Andorra and Estonia having played five games.