After the heaviest loss in Croatia’s history, the captain said his side lacked aggression and failed to win duels. Spain are next on the schedule.
Croatia suffered a 7-0 home defeat by England in the third round of the Nations League, with captain Luka Modrić calling the performance shameful. He said it was the first time in 20 years with the national team that he had felt that way after a match.
The game was played in Rijeka on 3 October. England scored four times before half-time and extended the margin after the break. It was the heaviest defeat in Croatia’s history. The teams had also met at the World Cup, where England won 4-2.
“It is difficult to explain a performance like this: we did not win duels, commit fouls or show aggression,” Modrić said. He acknowledged that England are currently the stronger side, but said a loss on this scale was unacceptable and damaged the reputation Croatia had built over recent years.
Modrić made his Croatia debut in March 2006 and has since earned 205 caps. Before the England match, Croatia’s comparable defeat was a 6-0 loss to Spain in Elche in November 2018.
Croatia sit third in a group that also includes England and Spain. They host Spain in Split on 6 October.