Modric says he is ashamed after Croatia lose 7-0 at home to England

Croatia lost 7-0 to England in Rijeka on Saturday, according to BBC Sport and Reuters. Both outlets report that Croatia captain Luka Modric said he was ashamed of his side's performance.

Reuters reports that the result is the heaviest defeat in Croatia's history. The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not state the previous record defeat.

The match

According to the BBC, the game was a Nations League fixture in Group A3, played at home for Croatia. The BBC reports that Croatia were 5-0 down when Modric was substituted in the 57th minute. By then Harry Kane had scored twice, with one goal each from Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka. Further goals from Saka and Morgan Rogers completed the scoreline, the BBC says.

The reports do not say whether the substitution was tactical or due to injury.

According to the BBC, Modric, 41, plays for AC Milan and was making his 205th appearance for Croatia. He had recently agreed to extend his international career under returning manager Slaven Bilic.

What Modric says

The BBC quoted Modric as saying: "You can't play football like that... we looked like we had four or five players less".

"It is difficult to find an explanation for such a performance without duels, fouls, aggressiveness, togetherness," he said, according to the BBC. "I've been here for 20 years, but for the first time I feel ashamed after a game."

Modric acknowledged England's current strength. "You can lose, or play against an opponent who is better - and they are right now", the BBC quoted him as saying. He added: "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]."

He also called for unity. "We need to pull ourselves together, stay together because a new difficult game awaits us", he said, according to the BBC.

The reports do not say where or to whom Modric made these remarks.

Group situation

According to the BBC, Croatia began Bilic's second spell with a 2-1 win away to the Czech Republic, then lost 4-1 away to Spain. They were level on points with England before Saturday's match.

The BBC reports that Croatia are now third in the group. The top two qualify for the latter stages, and Croatia face a battle to retain their place in the top tier of the competition. The reports do not give points totals or full standings.

Croatia next host Spain in Split on Tuesday, the BBC says. They then play away to England on 12 November and at home to the Czech Republic on 15 November.

What is not known

The reports do not include any comment from Bilic, the Croatian football federation, or England's players or manager, Thomas Tuchel. They also do not say whether Modric's international future is affected.

Analysis

The result leaves Croatia with three group matches to respond, starting against Spain, who beat them 4-1 earlier in the campaign. A recovery could keep them in contention for a top-two place; further defeats could put their top-tier status at risk, as the BBC notes. Modric's public criticism may be read as an attempt to rally the squad, though the reports give no indication of how players or staff received it. With no comment from Bilic or the federation in the reports, it is unclear how the team's leadership views the defeat. The claim of a record loss rests on Reuters alone.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.