Croatia captain Luka Modric said he was “embarrassed” by his side’s 7-0 home defeat to England in the Nations League on Saturday.
The AC Milan midfielder said it was the first time he had felt such emotion in 20 years as an international and described it as a “catastrophic night”.
Modric, 41, was making his 205th appearance for his country after recently agreeing to extend his international career under returning manager Slaven Bilic.
“You can’t play football like that… as if we were four or five players short,” said the former Real Madrid player, who helped Croatia finish second and third at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
“Without duels, fouls, aggressiveness, unity, it is difficult to find an explanation for such a performance.
“I’ve been here for 20 years, but for the first time I’m embarrassed after a game.”
Croatia started Bilic’s second game in charge with a 2-1 Nations League win away to the Czech Republic, who topped England in Group A3.
They followed that up with a 4-1 defeat away to world champions Spain, but were level on points with Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions before Saturday’s humiliating defeat in Rijeka.
Croatia, which took the first two places, qualified for the 1/4 finals by defeating England.
However, when Modric was substituted in the 57th minute, the hosts were already 5-0 down after conceding two goals from Harry Kane and one from Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka.
Modric was forced to watch from the sidelines as further goals from Saka and Morgan Rodgers extended England’s lead before the final whistle.