Modric ashamed of Croatia's thrashing by England
Luka Modric didn't hold back on his assessment of Croatia's historic 7-0 defeat to England in the UEFA Nations League, which marked his nations heaviest loss in its history.
Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka all scored before half-time, andKane and Saka scored 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.
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 it hosts Spain in its final game of this international break on Wednesday (AEDT), knowing a defeat would almost certainly end its 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."
Luka Modrić
Croatia
