Croatia "stomped out like cigarette butt" at Wembley, press laments

Zagreb  - Croatia's 5-1 defeat against England in a World Cup qualifier has left the team "humiliated" and "on its knees," the Jutarnji List daily said Thursday.

"They stomped us out like a cigarette butt," it noted. "Croatia was broken, humiliated at Wembley, it's football face slapped harder than ever before ... we will never wash the shame off."

The outcome was a "hard landing" and "shameful" for Croatia, who now have to fight with Ukraine for the second group place and a play-off for passage to the tournament in South Africa next year.

While Croatia, a young nation with an outstanding football record, including the third place at the 1998 World Cup in France, was left reeling, Wednesday's match was sweet revenge for England.

Two years ago Croatia ended England's hopes of qualifying for Euro 2008 with a 3-2 win at Wembley. Now Croatia must depend on England defeating Ukraine away to keep their hopes alive.

The table has turned fully, Radio Zagreb said, describing Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard, who scored two apiece on Wednesday, as "our executioners." (dpa)