Luka Modric said Croatia's historic 7-0 defeat to England in the Nations League represented the first time he had felt "ashamed" in his illustrious international career.
Croatia slumped to the heaviest loss in their history on Saturday, in front of a crowd mostly made up of schoolchildren in Rijeka, due to UEFA-enforced restrictions on the home side.
Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka all scored before half-time, marking the first time England had seen four different players get on the scoresheet before the interval since March 2013 against San Marino (Frank Lampard, Jermain Defoe, Ashley Young, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain).
Kane and Saka then got another goal apiece as Thomas Tuchel's side refused to ease up after the break, while Morgan Rogers came off the bench to score England's seventh.
Croatia had never previously lost a home game by more than a three-goal margin, going down 4-1 to the same opponents in September 2008, while a 6-0 loss in Spain in 2018 was their previous worst-ever defeat.
And the scoreline was no fluke, either, with England putting up a huge expected goals (xG) figure of 6.43 to Croatia's 1.39.
That is the largest figure ever amassed by any team in a Nations League game by some distance, surpassing Belarus' 4.89 xG against San Marino in September 2018.
And Modric did not mince his words concerning Croatia's display after full-time, saying: "You can't play football like that. We looked like we had four or five less players.
"It is difficult to find an explanation for such a performance, without winning duels, making fouls, showing aggressiveness and togetherness.
"I've been here for 20 years, but for the first time, I feel ashamed after a game.
"You can lose, or you can play against an opponent who is better – and they are right now.
"But losing like this and squandering the reputation we've built over the years is unacceptable. I feel ashamed."
Things do not get any easier for Croatia, either, as they host Spain in their final game of this international break on Tuesday, knowing a defeat would almost certainly end their chances of qualifying for the last eight.
"We need to come together and stay united because another difficult game awaits us," Modric added.
"We have to show our true selves, that we have fight and pride, desire, willpower and unity. You can't lose that overnight."
Head coach Slaven Bilic, meanwhile, was at a loss to explain Croatia's complete loss of organisation.
"It is difficult to say anything after a night like this. We are sad, disappointed, and I feel sorry for the fans and the children who were at the game," Bilic said.
"We talked, it is hardest for us, and we did not expect this would happen. I don't know what to call it, whether it's a blackout, but it's hard to analyse a game when you lose 7-0.
"We knew they were a top team, but that we couldn't match them in any way... that attacks your confidence, your will, and everything falls apart and goes the wrong way."
rehacdoptu
1
Good
wiyadikotu
0
Why should you be ashamed of the score line? You should be ashamed of not retiring and giving chance to the younger players. They have been waiting to take over for more than 5 years and still continue to waste, whilst players like you, perisic and others are refusing to step aside. Even the great Zidan and other prolific players stepped aside to allow the upcoming players to show their potentials.
sudalmntuz
1
this Croatia, don't they have younger players ? how are you still using LM as a player for what nah
Docacdpsy
0
Were you not on pitch yesterday
satbcety
0
No one is telling him to retire or that he is the problem of Croatia. He is thesame age with Ronaldo. Yet the media is not seeing him or at their toes for him to retire by fire by thunder. Your agenda about Ronaldo has failed
He is starting from bench and he never get angry. Not ur cry baby who want to be in the first 11
yeeceprtz
0
No one is telling him to retire or that he is the problem of Croatia. He is thesame age with Ronaldo. Yet the media is not seeing him or at their toes for him to retire by fire by thunder. Your agenda about Ronaldo has failed
Don't be idiot Modric controls the midfield through and through, unlike the guy who stands in the box for 90 mins waiting to pass him that it feels his team is playing one-man less 😂 lol
wusbmnrsz
3
Oldies trying to win [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
resabekpst
2
Croatia were really poor. England could have had 10 goals. But also could have conceded a few. I personally don’t judge teams in games like that.
Fauzsmail
1
another cr7 don't want to retire
marialauoti
1
No one is telling him to retire or that he is the problem of Croatia. He is thesame age with Ronaldo. Yet the media is not seeing him or at their toes for him to retire by fire by thunder. Your agenda about Ronaldo has failed
BLKBtl
0
He should be