Rijeka witnessed a night that Luka Modric, Croatia’s captain and most celebrated international, described in starkly personal terms after England swept the home side aside 7-0 in the UEFA Nations League.
The 41-year-old midfielder said he felt ashamed by Croatia’s display in Saturday’s third-round match, a defeat that followed last week’s 4-1 loss to Spain and left a team accustomed to competing with Europe’s best facing an abrupt crisis.
“It is hard to explain a performance like that,” Modric said. “We did not win duels, commit fouls or show aggression. In 20 years with the national team, this is the first time I have felt ashamed after a match.”
England were superior, Modric accepted, but he insisted the scale and manner of the loss could not be excused. “You can lose because they are better at the moment,” he said. “But to lose in this way, and damage the reputation we have built over recent years, is unacceptable. I am deeply ashamed.”
Modric started in Rijeka but was replaced by Kristijan Jakic 12 minutes into the second half, shortly after England had scored their fifth goal. The veteran said Croatia had looked desperately short-handed on the pitch, adding: “It felt as if we had four or five fewer players. It was a catastrophic night.”
Croatia are third in Nations League Group A3 with three points. They return to home soil on Tuesday, when Spain visit Split in the fourth round, and victory is now essential if the Croatians are to steady their campaign after consecutive heavy defeats.
