Luka Modric said he felt “ashamed” of Croatia’s performance after his side were beaten 7-0 by England at home in the Nations League on Saturday, describing it as a “catastrophic night”.
The Croatia captain, who was making his 205th appearance for his country, said it was the first time in 20 years as an international that he had experienced such an emotion. The 41-year-old AC Milan midfielder recently agreed to extend his international career under returning manager Slaven Bilic.
“You can’t play football like that… we looked like we had four or five players less,” said Modric. “It is difficult to find an explanation for such a performance without duels, fouls, aggressiveness, togetherness. I’ve been here for 20 years, but for the first time I feel ashamed after a game.”
By the time Modric was substituted in the 57th minute, the home side in Rijeka were already 5-0 down, having conceded two goals from Harry Kane and one apiece from Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka. Modric was forced to watch from the sidelines as further goals from Saka and Morgan Rogers extended England’s advantage before the final whistle.
The result arrived with Croatia well placed in Group A3. Bilic’s second spell in charge had begun with a 2-1 Nations League win away to the Czech Republic that put them above England, and although that was followed by a chastening 4-1 defeat away to world champions Spain, Croatia were still level on points with Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions before Saturday’s loss. With the top two qualifying for the latter stages, Croatia had the chance to put themselves in pole position to beat England to a place in the quarter-finals.
Modric, a former Real Madrid and Tottenham player who helped Croatia to second place at the 2018 World Cup and third place in 2022, also helped his country knock England out in the qualifying stages for the 2008 Euros, where they reached the quarter-finals during Bilic’s first spell as manager.
“You can lose, or play against an opponent who is better – and they are right now,” he said. “But in any case, losing like this and squandering the reputation we’ve built over the years is unacceptable… [it was a] catastrophic night [for Croatia].”
It does not get any easier for Croatia, who next host Spain in Split on Tuesday and will finish their Nations League campaign with games away to England on 12 November and at home to the Czech Republic on 15 November. Croatia sit third in the table and face a battle to retain their status in the top tier of the Nations League.
“We need to pull ourselves together, stay together because a new difficult game awaits us,” said Modric. “We have to show our true colours, that there is defiance and pride in us, desire, willingness, togetherness, these things cannot be lost overnight.”