Modric criticises Croatia after 7-0 Nations League defeat by England

Luka Modric has criticised Croatia's performance after their 7-0 home defeat by England in the Nations League, saying the result left him ashamed for the first time in his international career. BBC Sport reported that the captain called for the team to regroup after Saturday's loss in Rijeka, where Croatia conceded five goals before he was substituted in the 57th minute.

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The 41-year-old AC Milan midfielder was making his 205th appearance for Croatia, having agreed to continue playing internationally under returning coach Slaven Bilic. Modric said the performance lacked aggression and unity. He acknowledged England were currently the stronger side but said the manner of the defeat was unacceptable given the reputation Croatia had established over previous years.

England's goals came from Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka, who each scored twice, alongside Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon and Morgan Rogers. In its separate coverage of Bellingham's performance, BBC Sport reported that the Real Madrid midfielder also supplied three assists and finished the match wearing the captain's armband after Kane went off with 20 minutes remaining.

Bellingham became the first England player to register three assists in one match since Trent Alexander-Arnold against San Marino in November 2021, according to the BBC. It was also the first time he had been directly involved in more than two goals in an England game. Kane's double took his international scoring total to 89, while Gordon contributed an assist as well as a goal.

England coach Thomas Tuchel told BBC Sport he had made adjustments after the World Cup and given players, including Bellingham, considerable responsibility. The midfielder had finished that tournament as England's leading scorer with seven goals as the team placed third. Against Croatia, one of his assists was the cross for Saka's opening goal.

Croatia are third in Group A3 and next face Spain in Split on Tuesday. They had begun Bilic's second spell with a 2-1 away win over the Czech Republic before losing 4-1 in Spain. Modric urged the players to remain united ahead of their next match.