Steve McClaren's side required just a point from their home clash with Croatia but were unable to get it, losing 3-2 on a wet night in London.

That result coupled with Russia's 1-0 win in Andorra saw Guus Hiddink's men advance from Group E.

England got off to a nightmare start, rookie keeper Scott Carson allowing a long-range strike from Niko Kranjcar to slip through his grasp after eight minutes.

It was 2-0 six minutes later as Ivica Olic skipped through to put already-qualified Croatia in firm control.

England launched a stirring comeback after the break and drew level thanks to a Frank Lampard penalty and a close-range volley from Peter Crouch.

But Croatia restored their advantage with what turned out to be the winner with 13 minutes to go, substitute Mladen Petric firing home from 20 yards.

England's slip-up allowed Russia to squeeze through with Dmitri Sychev netting the winner six minutes before half-time.

Denis Kolodin also missed a penalty for the visitors, who were reduced to 10 men for the final few minutes when Andrei Arshavin was sent off.

Israel finished their campaign with a 1-0 win over FYR Macedonia in Tel Aviv.

Portugal secured the point they needed with a goalless draw against Finland to advance to the finals.

Failure to win in Porto eliminated the Finns and also Serbia, who drew 2-2 at home to Group A winners Poland.

The visitors took a two-goal lead thanks to strikes from midfielder Rafal Murawski and forward Radoslaw Matusiak.

But Serbia strikers Nikola Zigic and Danko Lazovic both netted within two minutes of each other to complete a fine comeback.

Also in Group A, Belgium won 1-0 in Azerbaijan and Armenia lost 1-0 at home to Kazakhstan.

Sweden went into the final round of Group F fixtures needing just a point at home to Latvia and ended up with three thanks to a 2-1 win.

Marcus Allback opened the scoring within a minute of kick-off, but Swedish hearts were in mouths when Juris Laizans equalised after 26 minutes.

Kim Kallstrom re-established the lead just short of the hour mark and Latvia never looked like spoiling the hosts' day.

That result meant Northern Ireland could not qualify and they finished their campaign with a 1-0 defeat in Spain - Xavi grabbing the winner with a deflected shot seven minutes into the second half.

In the same pool, Denmark beat Iceland 3-0.

Turkey secured their place in Euro 2008 after Nihat Kahveci's first-half goal gave them a 1-0 win over stubborn Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Having dominated the opening period, Nihat struck at the end of the first half to give Turkey a lead that they looked like they might build on.

However, Bosnia-Herzegovina dug in during the second half and, despite some nervy moments, Turkey held on for the win that gave them second place in Group C at Norway's expense.

Norway won 4-1 win against Malta, Steffen Iversen grabbing a first-half hat-trick.

Michael Mifsud pulled one back for the hosts but Morten Gamst Pedersen completed the rout.

Greece, who had already secured top spot in Group C, finished with a 2-1 win in Hungary.

Italy and France sealed their places from Group B at the weekend and the Azzurri made sure of top spot in the pool with a 3-1 victory over the Faroe Islands.

Defender Frodi Benjaminsen's own goal from Massimo Oddo's cross put the world champions in front after 10 minutes.

Luca Toni doubled the lead after 26 minutes before Giorgio Chiellini's stunning strike shortly before the break gave Italy a commanding advantage.

The Faroes reduced the deficit seven minutes from the end with Rogvi Jacobsen's header but the visitors ended the qualifying tournament without a single point.

France were held to a 2-2 draw against Ukraine in Kiev.

The hosts had gone ahead early on through Andriy Voronin, but well-taken goals by Thierry Henry and Sidney Govou put the French in front.

Andriy Shevchenko earned the hosts a point in the second half with a looping header.

In the same section, Lithuania won 2-0 in Georgia.

Czech Republic sealed first place in Group D with a comfortable 2-0 victory in Cyprus.

Daniel Pudil put the visitors ahead early on before Jan Koller sealed the points 16 minutes from time.

Germany, who were also certain of qualification, finished second after a goalless draw at home to Wales while Slovakia won 5-0 in San Marino.

Romania and Holland were already assured of places in Austria and Switzerland before Wednesday's games but they finished in contrasting fashion.

Romania hammered Albania 6-1 while the Dutch were surprisingly beaten 2-1 by Belarus.

Bulgaria rounded off their campaign with a 2-0 win in Slovenia.