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Luka Modric admitted feeling "ashamed" after Croatia suffered a crushing 7-0 defeat against England in Rijeka on Saturday, marking the heaviest loss in their history.
The nation's previous record loss was a 6-0 beating by Spain in 2018. Modric, the country's most-capped player, insisted the nature of the defeat by England was unacceptable.
"It is difficult to find an explanation for such a performance without duels, fouls, aggressiveness, togetherness... I've been here for 20 years, but for the first time I feel ashamed after a game," he told Jutarnji.
"You can lose, or play against an opponent who is better - and they are right now. But in any case, losing like this and squandering the reputation we've built over the years is unacceptable.
"You can't play football like that. You can't play with two players less, you can't play like this, and we looked like we had 4-5 players less. A catastrophic night," the 41-year-old AC Milan player added.
Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions cruised to victory in impressive fashion with two goals from Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka with Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon and Morgan Rogers also getting on the scoresheet.
After the game, Tuchel reserved special praise for Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott.
The German coach said: “First start and what a start, what a performance. He is so smooth on the ball, his decision making is at the highest level.
“He plays with so much confidence. He is so active, so confident. The work rate off the ball. He is just the complete package. He gave us a lot of mobility and a lot of variety and work rate in the centre of the pitch.”
Croatia next face Spain in Split on Tuesday. The world champions maintain a 100 per cent record so far in the Nations League, having won their opening encounter 4-1 on Tuesday.
"We need to pull ourselves together, stay together because a new difficult game awaits us," said Modric. "And we have to show our true colours, that there is defiance and pride in us, desire, willingness, togetherness, these things cannot be lost overnight."
Croatia currently sit third in Nations League A, Group Three.