{
  "id": 12278933,
  "title": "Modric hopes fans back Croatia against Spain after England shame",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/modric-hopes-fans-back-croatia-against-spain-after-england-shame",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-06T01:59:37.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/football/2026/10/1548661/modric-hopes-fans-back-croatia-against-spain-after-england-shame"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Croatia captain Luka Modric hopes his nation's fans will rally behind the team despite a 7-0 defeat to England earlier in the week ahead of their Nations League match against world champions Spain on Tuesday. Modric, who was among 41 players who suffered a comprehensive loss to England on Saturday, expressed shame over his team's performance. Croatia will face Spain in Split in their pursuit of redemption following the heavy loss. While the Spaniards are the world champions and have won their first three Group A3 matches, Modric emphasized that Croatia's fans' support is crucial. Modric stated that the atmosphere should be different against Spain, and Croatia must play aggressively to avoid giving Spain too much space. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente dismissed Croatia's heavy loss against England as an \"accident\" and suggested the result could motivate the Croatian team. Teenage winger Lamine Yamal, who has been scoring consistently for Spain, is in top form and expected to play in the upcoming match.",
  "summary": "BARCELONA: Croatia captain Luka Modric said he hoped the country’s fans would support the team despite a hefty defeat by England when they face world champions Spain on Tuesday in the Nations League.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "Modric hopes fans back Croatia against Spain after England shame",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/modric-hopes-fans-back-croatia-against-spain-after-england-shame",
        "published": "2026-10-05T20:10:18.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Modric hopes fans back Croatia against Spain after England shame",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/modric-hopes-fans-back-croatia-against-spain-after-england-shame-12242935",
        "published": "2026-10-05T21:35:23.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}