Modric 'ashamed' after England hand Croatia worst defeat in their history

"You can lose, or play against an opponent who is better - and they are right now," Modric said. Croatia's hopes of reaching the Nations League quarter-finals collapsed in humiliating fashion on Saturday, as England thrashed Slaven Bilic's side 7-0 in Rijeka. The defeat, Croatia's heaviest in their history, left them third in Group A3 and facing a battle to retain their top-tier status.

Captain Luka Modric, making his 205th international appearance, did not hide his disgust. "You can't play football like that... we looked like we had four or five players less," he said. "It is difficult to find an explanation for such a performance without duels, fouls, aggressiveness, togetherness. I've been here for 20 years, but for the first time I feel ashamed after a game."

England led 5-0 by the time Modric was substituted in the 57th minute, with Harry Kane scoring twice and Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka also on target. Saka added a second and Morgan Rogers completed the rout after Modric had left the pitch. The result was a stark contrast to Croatia's 2-1 win away to the Czech Republic in Bilic's first match back in charge, and even their 4-1 defeat to world champions Spain had not prepared them for this collapse.

Modric said the performance had damaged the reputation Croatia had built over years of success, including runners-up and third-place finishes at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. "But in any case, losing like this and squandering the reputation we've built over the years is unacceptable... [it was a] catastrophic night [for Croatia]." Coach Slaven Bilic shouldered the blame.

"Croatia does not deserve this. The responsibility falls on me. I am the coach, and this is my country's national team. We will analyse everything, but some things are unacceptable," he said. Bilic called the upcoming home match against Spain an opportunity to show unity and character. Croatia next host Spain in Split on Tuesday, then travel to England on 12 November before finishing their group campaign at home to the Czech Republic on 15 November.

"We need to pull ourselves together, stay together because a new difficult game awaits us," he said. "We have to show our true colours, that there is defiance and pride in us, desire, willingness, togetherness, these things cannot be lost overnight."