Paul Robinson looks at the ground
© AFP Adrian Dennis

LONDON (AFP) - Robinson conceded the second goal in a 2-0 loss in a Euro 2008 qualifying match that left England in a four-way scrap for two qualifying spots, when he bobbled Gary Neville's passback over his foot and into the net.

The Sun tabloid, Britain's best-read daily, put images of Robinson launching himself on the ball on its front page under the headline "Apauling", with the 'keeper on his knees on the backpage under the word "Robbish".

Other papers were no more forgiving of the Tottenham goalkeeper, with The Times titling its article, "Horrible bobble, toil and trouble as England crash", and The Daily Express headlined its story: "Here to you ... Misses Robinson".

The Daily Telegraph, meanwhile, published a photo of a forlorn Robinson on its front page, hands on hips, under the headline, "England keeper's comedy of errors", while the Daily Mail screamed "Steve sends in the clowns" above its match report.

Paul Robinson (C) leaves the field down the tunnel surrounded by cheerleaders
© AFP Adrian Dennis

The Daily Mirror tabloid was just as scathing, starting its report of the match: "Paul Robinson conceded one of the most embarrassing goals in England's international history last night during a humiliating defeat in Croatia."

By comparison to Robinson's mauling, McClaren was left relatively unscathed, having ditched a back four that had not conceded a goal in six matches in favour of a 3-5-2 line-up.

The Independent summed up the evening: "Whether England ever line up in the 3-5-2 formation again is not even the most pressing issue; whether they qualify for Euro 2008 is of much greater concern after last night."

"This game might be remembered for Paul Robinson's disastrous gaffe to swing and miss with a back-pass and gift Croatia their second goal; it was also surely a requiem for the tactical innovation of the manager, Steve McClaren," the paper's report on the match began.

The Guardian dubbed McClaren's England squad "shapeless", declaring: "The damage is inevitably severe ... for Steve McClaren, whose strategy was supposed to help the team get forward."

Steve McLaren walks off the pitch at halftime
© AFP Adrian Dennis

Indeed, the paper said, "if there is any consolation for the goalkeeper Paul Robinson ... it is that England, already a goal behind, were never likely to score in any case."

McClaren, for his part, on Wednesday refused to blame his players for the defeat, saying: "It was my decision to change. We've lost the game so obviously the tactics did not work," he said. "The team tried and the players did the jobs they were told to do. It has not worked and we have lost the game."

He will, however, have to wait more than five months until his side will be able to set things right in its next qualifying match, against Israel in Tel Aviv.

©AFP