Modric 'ashamed' after Croatia's 7-0 home defeat to England
Croatia captain Luka Modric said he felt "ashamed" after Saturday's 7-0 home defeat to England in the Nations League in Rijeka, calling the result a "catastrophic night" and saying he had not felt such emotion in 20 years.
The 41-year-old AC Milan midfielder was making his 205th appearance for his country after recently agreeing to extend his international career under returning manager Slaven Bilic, and he referenced his long international career while criticising the team's performance. Modric won the Golden Ball at the 2018 World Cup and helped Croatia to second- and third-place finishes at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups during a career that included spells with Real Madrid and prior recognition as a former Spurs favourite.
Croatia began Bilic's second spell with a 2-1 Nations League win away to the Czech Republic that put them above England in Group A3, then suffered a 4-1 defeat away to Spain but remained level on points with Thomas Tuchel's Three Lions before Saturday's result in Rijeka. With the top two qualifying for the latter stages, Croatia had the opportunity to improve their position against England but instead were soundly beaten.
By the time Modric was substituted in the 57th minute the home side were already 5-0 down after two goals from Harry Kane and one each from Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka; further strikes from Saka and Morgan Rogers made the final score 7-0. During the build-up to England's fourth goal Modric watched on as Jude Bellingham congratulated Bukayo Saka for scoring England's fourth goal in a 7-0 win over Croatia.
Reacting to the defeat, Modric said: "You can't play football like that... we looked like we had four or five players less." He added: "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."
The captain also acknowledged England's quality, saying: "You can lose, or play against an opponent who is better - and they are right now." The former Spurs favourite, who helped Croatia knock England out in the qualifying stages for the 2008 Euros where they reached the quarter-finals in Bilic's first spell as manager, said the manner of the defeat was unacceptable: "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]."
Modric outlined what he expects from his team next, saying: "We need to pull ourselves together, stay together because a new difficult game awaits us." He added: "We have to show our true colours, that there is defiance and pride in us, desire, willingness, togetherness, these things cannot be lost overnight." Croatia sit third in the table and face a battle to retain their status in the top tier of the Nations League.
Croatia will next host Spain in Split on Tuesday, and will finish their Nations League campaign away to England on 12 November and at home to the Czech Republic on 15 November.