Wembley is alive on Wednesday!

It’s a miracle and on Wednesday night Wembley is going to be an atmosphere of hope rather than a night of long knives. Israel not only deprived Russia of the win that would have ended England’s qualification hopes but delivered a 90 minute winner that means only a draw against Croatia is needed. Israel showed a spirit that defied the crazy conspiracy theories that had surrounded Roman Abramovich’s involvement with both countries. Leading 1-0 at half time they endured 15 minutes of all-out Russian pressure until conceding the equaliser and from that point it was hard to imagine that they would be able hold out and keep our qualification alive. Just as added time was being entered, Russia hit the post and within seconds the lone Israeli striker was one-on-one with the keeper and delivered to send this particular household into delirium.

No complacency this group is not over, but Croatia who actually qualified by virtue of Israel’s win and perhaps, just perhaps, their eye may have been taken off the ball, as witnessed by their surprising 2-0 defeat in Macedonia. England go into the game short of two first choice central defenders and two potential match winners, with Michael Owen being injured in the pointless friendly in Austria. Steve McClaren can justify the fixture with all sorts of spin but it had no value and once Owen was crocked it became indefensible, despite a 1-0 win. Credit to the 4,500 England fans that made the trip, but for me it was a friendly to a stadium that has already been visited and one that I did not need to afford.

Many England fans will, but I personally take no pleasure in Scotland’s home defeat to World Champions Italy thus ending their hopes of qualification. They have done marvellously well to take this group to the last match, with home and away victories over the French along the way. Listening firstly on the radio and then watching on TV, the atmosphere at Hampden was unbelievable, and if Wembley can recreate that on Wednesday, England will get home for sure.

McClaren upbeat over Croatia tie