Luka Modric says Croatia’s historic 7-0 Nations League defeat by England was the first time he was “embarrassed” in his illustrious international career.
Croatia suffered their heaviest defeat in their history in front of a largely schoolboy crowd in Rijeka on Saturday due to UEFA’s home side restrictions.
Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka scored before half-time, marking the first time since England had four different players on the scoresheet before half-time against San Marino (Frank Lampard, Jermain Defoe, Ashley Young, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain) in March 2013.
Kane and Saka scored a goal each as Thomas Tuchel’s side refused to settle after the break, while Morgan Rodgers came off the bench to score England’s seventh goal.
Croatia had never previously lost by three goals at home, going down 4-1 to the same opposition in September 2008, with a 6-0 defeat in Spain in 2018 their worst previous defeat.
The scoreline was no fluke either, as England posted an expected goals (xG) figure of over 6.43 to Croatia’s 1.39.
That’s the most by any team in a Nations League game by some distance, surpassing Belarus’ 4.89 xG against San Marino in September 2018.
Modric, however, did not criticize Croatia’s performance after full-time, saying: “You can’t play football like that. We thought we were missing four or five players.
“It is difficult to find an explanation for such a performance without winning duels, without committing fouls, without showing aggression and unity.
“I’ve been here for 20 years, but this is the first time I’m embarrassed after a game.
“You can lose, or you can play against a better opponent – and they are right now.
“But losing like this and ruining the reputation we’ve built up over the years is unacceptable. I’m ashamed.”
7-0 – England recorded their biggest margin of victory against a nation in the top 50 of the FIFA World Rankings (since 1992).
Goliath. pic.twitter.com/9ip8jDzozr
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 3, 2026
Things don’t get any easier for Croatia, who host Spain in the final game of this international break on Tuesday, knowing that a defeat would almost certainly end their chances of qualifying for the last eight.
“We have to come together and unite because we have another tough game ahead of us,” Modric added.
“We have to show our true selves, that we have fight and pride and desire and will and unity. You can’t lose that overnight.”
Head coach Slaven Bilic had a hard time explaining Croatia’s complete loss of organizational ability.
“It’s hard to say anything after such a night. We are sad, we are disappointed and I feel sorry for the fans and the kids at the game,” Bilic said.
“We talked, it’s the most difficult for us and we didn’t expect it to happen. I don’t know what to call it, it’s a blackout, but it’s hard to analyze the game when you lose 7-0.
“We knew they were a top team but we couldn’t match them in any way… it knocks your confidence, your will and everything falls apart and goes the wrong way.”