Luka Modric Expresses Disgrace After Croatia's Disastrous Loss to England

Luka Modric, the Croatian captain and 2018 World Cup Golden Ball winner, didn't mince words after his team's shocking 7-0 loss to England on Saturday. The defeat, which took place on home soil, left him feeling "ashamed," a rare sentiment for the veteran midfielder in his two-decade international career. At 41 years old, Modric reached a milestone of 205 appearances for Croatia, recently committing to continue playing under the management of Slaven Bilic. However, this match was a stark reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in football. "We looked like we had four or five players less," Modric lamented, reflecting on the lackluster performance. The former Real Madrid star, who has enjoyed a celebrated career, emphasized that this kind of display is simply unacceptable. "It's tough to explain such a lack of duels, fouls, and aggressiveness. I've been in this game for 20 years, but this is the first time I've felt ashamed after a match," he added. The match had started with promise as Croatia began Bilic's second tenure with a 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic. However, after a disappointing 4-1 loss to Spain, they found themselves in a precarious position, sitting level on points with England in Group A3 before this latest debacle. Modric was substituted in the 57th minute, with Croatia already trailing 5-0, having conceded two goals from Harry Kane and one each from Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon, and Bukayo Saka. From the sidelines, he watched as the scoreline ballooned to a humiliating 7-0, with more goals from Saka and Morgan Rogers. Reflecting on the loss, Modric acknowledged the strength of the England side but insisted that such a defeat tarnishes the reputation Croatia has built over the years. "Losing like this is unacceptable; it was a catastrophic night for us," he stated. Looking ahead, Croatia faces a tough schedule, hosting Spain next in Split, followed by games against England and the Czech Republic. Modric called on his teammates to regroup, emphasizing the need for unity and determination in the face of adversity. "We must show our true colors and not let our pride and desire fade overnight. A tough game awaits us, and we need to stay together," he urged, as Croatia fights to maintain their status in the Nations League's top tier.