Modric 'ashamed' of Croatia's 'catastrophic night'

Croatia captain Luka Modric said he felt "ashamed" of his side's showing in Saturday's 7-0 defeat to England in the Nations League. He called the performance a "catastrophic night," noting it was the first time in two decades as an international that he had experienced such emotion. Modric, 41, was earning his 205th cap for Croatia after recently agreeing to extend his international career under returning head coach Slaven Bilic. "You can't play shot similar that... we looked similar we had 4 or 5 players less," the former Real Madrid midfielder remarked, pointing out the side's lack of duels, fouls, aggressiveness and togetherness. He added that he had helped Croatia finish second and third at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups during a storied career. "It is hard to find an mentation for specified a show without duels, fouls, aggressiveness, togetherness," Modric continued. "I've been present for 20 years, but for the archetypal clip I consciousness ashamed aft a game," he said. Croatia began Bilic's second spell in charge with a 2-1 Nations League win away to the Czech Republic, moving above England in Group A3. The team then suffered a 4-1 loss away to reigning European champions Spain but remained level on points with Thomas Tuchel's England ahead of the Rijeka encounter. With the top two sides advancing to the next stage, Croatia had the chance to secure a quarter‑final place by beating England. Yet by the time Modric was withdrawn in the 57th minute, the home side were already 5-0 down after conceding two goals from Harry Kane and one each from Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka. Modric was forced to watch from the bench as further strikes from Saka and Morgan Rogers extended England's lead before the final whistle.