Luka Modric said Croatia’s 7-0 home defeat by England in the Nations League was one of the lowest moments of his international career, admitting the performance left him feeling ashamed for the first time in two decades with the national team.
The 41-year-old AC Milan midfielder made his 205th appearance for Croatia in Rijeka, having recently chosen to continue his international career under returning head coach Slaven Bilic.
Croatia entered the match level on points with England in Group A3 and with an opportunity to strengthen their position in the race for a quarter-final place. Instead, they suffered a collapse that left their Nations League campaign in serious danger.
England were already 5-0 ahead when Modric was substituted in the 57th minute. Harry Kane scored twice, while Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka also found the net before the Croatia captain left the field.
Saka then added his second goal of the evening before Morgan Rogers completed the scoring, sealing one of Croatia’s heaviest defeats in recent memory.
Modric later accepted that England had been the superior side but said Croatia’s lack of intensity, aggression and unity made the scale of the defeat unacceptable. He suggested the team had failed to compete properly across the pitch and had damaged the reputation built during years of success at major tournaments.
The former Real Madrid midfielder has been at the centre of Croatia’s most successful era, helping the country finish runners-up at the 2018 World Cup and third at the 2022 tournament.
Bilic began his second spell as Croatia manager with a 2-1 away victory over the Czech Republic before his team suffered a 4-1 defeat in Spain. Saturday’s result against England has now placed further pressure on Croatia ahead of the closing stages of the group.
The loss was especially damaging because the top two teams progress to the Nations League knockout phase. Croatia had entered the game with a realistic chance of moving ahead of England in the standings but instead dropped to third.
Their schedule does not become any easier. Croatia host world champions Spain in Split on Tuesday before travelling to England on 12 November and ending the campaign at home to the Czech Republic three days later.
Modric said the squad must now respond quickly and restore the commitment and togetherness that have defined Croatia’s strongest teams.
With their top-tier Nations League status also at risk, Croatia face a crucial final run of matches as they attempt to recover from a defeat that Modric described as a disastrous night for the national team.