Croatia captain Luka Modric has described his side’s 7-0 Nations League defeat by England as a “catastrophic night”, saying he felt ashamed of the team’s performance.
The defeat was the first time in his 20-year international career that the veteran midfielder had experienced such an emotion after a match.
Modric, 41, made his 205th appearance for Croatia but was substituted in the 57th minute, with his side already 5-0 down.
Harry Kane scored twice, while Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka also found the net before Saka and Morgan Rogers completed the rout.
The AC Milan midfielder criticized Croatia’s lack of aggression, togetherness and competitiveness during the match.
He said they appeared to be playing with several players fewer and insisted that although England are currently the better side, losing in such a manner was unacceptable.
“You can’t play football like that… we looked like we had four or five players less. 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.” Modric said.
Croatia had started the Nations League campaign with a 2-1 victory away to the Czech Republic before suffering a 4-1 defeat against world champions Spain.
Despite that loss, they remained level on points with England and had the opportunity to strengthen their position in the race for the knockout stages.
Instead, the heavy defeat leaves Croatia third in the group and facing a difficult fight to remain in the top tier of the Nations League.
They host Spain on Tuesday before finishing the campaign with away and home fixtures against England and the Czech Republic respectively.
Modric called on his teammates to bounce back quickly and rediscover the pride and determination that have defined Croatia’s recent successes.
He said the team must remain united and show their true character, insisting that the qualities of defiance, desire and togetherness cannot disappear overnight.
