Croatian football captain Luka Modric has broken his silence after his team's worst defeat since gaining independence in 1991, a 7-0 hammering by England in the UEFA Nations League. The 41-year-old AC Milan midfielder described the night in Rijeka as catastrophic, struggling to explain what went wrong on the pitch. The loss was Croatia's heaviest since the country declared independence in 1991.
The Nations League tie in Rijeka turned into a nightmare for the Balkan side as England ran riot. Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka each netted twice, with Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon, and Morgan Rogers also adding their names to the scoresheet. Modric, who featured from the start, was visibly shaken when he faced the media afterwards and found few words to justify what had unfolded.
Modric expressed his disappointment and shame, admitting that for the first time in a career spanning two decades with the national team, he felt ashamed after a game. "It is difficult to find an explanation for a performance like this, without duels, without fouls, without aggression, without team spirit," the AC Milan midfielder said. He acknowledged England's quality on the night but made clear that the scoreline went far beyond a simple difference in ability.
The veteran captain described the evening as a "catastrophic night" and said Croatia played as though they were fielding four or five fewer players, given the complete absence of intensity and cohesion in their performance. Despite the scale of the humiliation, Modric was firm in his message to his teammates: no blame game, no scapegoats. "We must not point fingers or look for scapegoats. We have to stay together, as we always have," he said.
With Croatia now facing Spain in their next fixture, Modric issued a direct challenge to his side to rediscover the character that has defined them at their best over the years. "We have to show our true selves. We need to prove that we still have grit and pride within us," he said. The result has sent shockwaves through Croatian football, with Modric's raw honesty after the match underscoring just how far the team fell short of the standards they have set themselves.
The 7-0 loss has raised questions about Croatia's current form and their ability to compete with top teams. Modric's comments have sparked a renewed focus on the team's performance and their need to regroup ahead of their next match. The team's fans and pundits will be eagerly awaiting their response against Spain.
The defeat has also sparked a wider conversation about the state of Croatian football and the need for improvement. As one of the most experienced players in the team, Modric's leadership and guidance will be crucial in helping Croatia bounce back from this setback. The team's next match against Spain will be an important test of their character and resolve.
Key points
- Luka Modric expressed shame and disappointment after Croatia's 7-0 loss to England.
- The loss was Croatia's heaviest since the country declared independence in 1991.
- Modric called on his teammates to stick together and show their true selves against Spain.
