Luka Modric after the defeat by England: 'For the first time in 20 years, I felt ashamed'

Croatia national team captain Luka Modric gave an emotional commentary after a crushing 0:7 home defeat against England in the UEFA Nations League. The 41-year-old midfielder admitted that for two decades of playing for the country's main team, he felt ashamed of the result and the quality of play for the first time. The match came as a real shock to fans and experts alike, with the Croatian team showing one of the worst performances in its modern history.

Chronicle of the disaster and milestone match

The encounter against England became a milestone for the legendary midfielder, marking his 205th appearance in the national team shirt. However, the memorable event was completely overshadowed by the unprecedented blowout. By the time Modric was substituted in the 57th minute, the hosts were already hopelessly trailing 0:5. Complete chaos reigned on the pitch: the team completely lost the midfield, showing a total lack of fight, aggression, and their usual defensive solidity.

Captain's emotional reaction

After the final whistle, the veteran did not look for excuses, openly speaking about systemic problems and a catastrophic level of dedication. 'You cannot play football like this. It felt like we had four or five fewer players. It is difficult to find an explanation for such a game — without fight, aggressiveness, and unity. I have been here for 20 years, but for the first time after a match, I felt ashamed,' leading sports outlets quote Modric as saying. The captain emphasized that England was objectively superior, but such a major fiasco strikes a blow to the reputation the team has built over the years.

Standings and conclusions

After three played rounds of the current Nations League campaign, the Croatia national team sits in third place in their group. Despite the severity of the defeat, Modric urged his teammates not to give up, stay united, and demonstrate character in upcoming fixtures. According to the midfielder, the squad must prove that resilience, pride, and the passion for victory have not vanished overnight.