Rijeka became the scene of Croatia’s heaviest home defeat as England swept to a 7-0 UEFA Nations League win, leaving Luka Modric to confront an evening he described as shameful after two decades in the national shirt.
The AC Milan midfielder and Croatia captain said the scale of the loss at Stadion HNK Rijeka cut deeply into a side that has built its standing through recent tournament runs, including third place at the 2026 World Cup. England, under Thomas Tuchel, moved into second place in Group C, behind Spain.
A night that unravelled in Rijeka
- England took control early through Harry Kane, who scored in the eighth minute.
- Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka added to England’s advantage before the interval, with Saka scoring in the 45th minute.
- Kane struck again in the 53rd minute as Croatia’s resistance continued to fade.
- Saka completed his double in the 68th minute, while Morgan Rogers also scored in the seven-goal rout.
- The final 0-7 result became Croatia’s worst defeat on home soil.
Modric calls for unity before Spain test
Modric accepted that England had been the superior side, but said Croatia could not allow one defeat to undo the reputation earned by the national team over many years.
“In 20 years with the national team, this is the first time I have felt ashamed after a match,” Modric said. “You can lose to a better opponent, and England were better. But losing in that manner and damaging everything we have built over the years is unacceptable.”
The captain pointed to a lack of the competitive edge normally associated with Croatia. He said the team had failed to contest loose balls, made too few fouls and showed neither the aggression nor collective unity needed at international level.
“It is hard to explain a game where there was no intensity,” he said. “We did not fight for second balls. There was very little aggression and no cohesion.”
Croatia now travel quickly from the Kvarner coast into another demanding international appointment. Their next match comes on Tuesday, 6 October, against world champions Spain, who sit above England in Group C.
Modric urged his teammates not to turn on one another after the defeat, insisting that the response must be collective.
“This is not the moment to blame each other or look for one person responsible,” he said. “We have come through harder moments. We must stay together, because another difficult match is ahead. We need to show our real character: pride, desire, will and unity. Those qualities do not disappear overnight.”
