Croatia's captain, Luka Modric, has publicly expressed his shame and disappointment following his team's historic 7-0 loss to England in a Nations League match held on Saturday. The defeat marked a significant low point for Modric, who has been an integral part of the Croatian team for 20 years. The 41-year-old midfielder described the performance as a "catastrophic night," emphasizing that it was the first time he felt ashamed after a game in his two-decade-long international career.
The match, which took place in Rijeka, was a significant setback for Croatia, especially considering their potential to qualify for the latter stages of the Nations League. Prior to the England match, Croatia had secured a 2-1 win against the Czech Republic and suffered a 4-1 defeat to world champions Spain. These results had left them level on points with England in Group A3. However, the heavy loss to England has complicated Croatia's chances, with the top two teams in the group qualifying for the next stage.
Modric, who has had a storied career with notable achievements including winning the Golden Ball at the 2018 World Cup and helping Croatia to second and third-place finishes in the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, respectively, was visibly distraught. He was substituted in the 57th minute with his team already 5-0 down, courtesy of goals from Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon, and Bukayo Saka. The scoreline worsened further with additional goals from Saka and Morgan Rogers.
Reflecting on the match, Modric was critical of his team's performance, stating that they looked like they had "four or five players less" on the pitch. He highlighted the lack of duels, fouls, aggressiveness, and togetherness, which he believed were essential components of their usual gameplay. Modric also acknowledged that while losses can happen, the manner in which they occurred was unacceptable and damaged the reputation they had built over the years.
The defeat has piled pressure on Croatia, especially with their upcoming fixtures against top-tier teams. They are set to host Spain in Split on Tuesday and will conclude their Nations League campaign with away and home games against England and the Czech Republic, respectively. Modric urged his teammates to regroup and show their true colors, emphasizing the need for defiance, pride, desire, and togetherness to salvage their Nations League campaign.
Despite the current setbacks, Modric remains committed to his international career, having recently agreed to extend his tenure under manager Slaven Bilic. The 41-year-old's leadership and experience will be crucial for Croatia as they aim to bounce back from this historic loss and secure their status in the top tier of the Nations League.
Looking ahead, Modric and his team face a challenging task in redeeming themselves, particularly against strong opponents like Spain and England. Their performance in the upcoming matches will be pivotal in determining their fate in the Nations League and their ability to regroup and show resilience in the face of adversity.
Key points
- Luka Modric described the 7-0 loss as a "catastrophic night" and expressed shame, a feeling he hasn't experienced in 20 years of international football.
