England were thrown a Euro 2008 lifeline in Tel Aviv as Israel overcame Russia

to leave Steve McClaren's men requiring just a draw against Croatia to qualify.

Dorel Golan's stoppage-time winner, just seconds after Dmitri Sychev had

struck a post with a shot which looked destined to send England out, must have

raised the roof not only off the Ramat Gan Stadium in Tel Aviv but the Grove

Hotel in Watford, where McClaren was watching on, accompanied by his coaching

staff.

McClaren must have been shredding his fingernails as, for 29 long minutes,

Israel resisted their increasingly-desperate vistors after Diniyar Biyaletdinov

had levelled Elianiv Barda's early effort.

Yet it appeared all the hard work would be wasted when Sychev broke through.

Amazingly, the Russian's seemingly goalbound shot bounced off the outside of

the Israeli post. And, as they poured forward looking for a winner, the visitors

were caught with the perfect sucker punch as Golan scored the goal which could

mean so much to McClaren.

With star strikers Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney both missing through injury,

plus skipper John Terry and Rio Ferdinand, who is suspended, holding Croatia,

who have not lost during their Group E campaign and hammered England in Zagreb

13 months ago, is by no means automatic.

However, with Croatia now through thanks to Russia's failure tonight, McClaren

will hope they lack the desire his own side must show if they are to make the

most of such an unexpected reprieve.

There are times when it has appeared McClaren has been cursed as England

manager.

In Russia last month, McClaren's men saw a winning position crumble completely

on the back of an awful penalty decision when a foul by Wayne Rooney was shown

to be well outside the area.

The subsequent loss of Rooney to a freak training ground accident only

increased McClaren's misery, his nightmare compounded by the thigh strain

Michael Owen picked up in Austria last night which means he will miss the

Croatia game.

A consistent theme during a difficult week has been McClaren's belief that

Wembley clash will be make-or-break.

Instead of remaining within the bosom of his family in the north-east,

McClaren chose to watch events unfold with his team of coaches at their Watford

base, desperately hoping his prediction came true but equally aware it could be

his own version of the Last Supper.

Yet it seemed his prayers were going to be answered when Elianiv Barda flicked

Israel into a 10th-minute lead.

At the time, Russia seemed disabled by nerves, unable to stem the flow of

Israeli attacks.

It would have been no surprise and in no way unjust had the hosts doubled

their lead, although the closest they came was when Barak Itzhaki and Barda

failed by inches to convert Maor Bar Bazaglo's outswinging free-kick to the far

post.

But, as soon as the second-half began, it was obvious Hiddink had prompted a

revolution in belief.

Suddenly, it was Russia on top and creating all the chances.

Although Dudu Aouate stood firm for a while, it was only a matter of time

before the visitors levelled.

The equaliser was a fine example of team play, with four men involved on the

edge of the area before Andrei Arshavin rolled a pass into the path of

Biyaletdinov which invited the finish.

Israel were now on the retreat and McClaren must have had his head in his

hands as he watched Dmitri Sychev flash a 20-yard shot just wide.

Another shot from Sychev followed, along with yet more Russian pressure.

Indeed, throughout the final half hour, Israel mustered just one chance, with

Gal Alberman's flick just off target.

But, in a gut-wrenching finale, Sychev came so close to knocking England out

before Golan finished Russia off.