UEFA Nations League 2018, England 2-1 Croatia: 5 Talking Points 

#2 Luka Modric looked isolated

Modric was the most heavily marked player on the night, and England did an excellent job of keeping the little genius' impact on the game to a bare minimum.

Luka Modric is arguably the best midfielder on the planet right now and has been for the better part of the last four years.

He is a player who has the ability to turn any game on its head by one moment of genius that separates him from the rest, and it's moments like these his side were desperately looking for him to create.

But except for his set-piece delivery to Vida, he failed to turn up and show his A game and lead his nation through to the next round of the competition.

Modric looked a little outmanned in the midfield battle, as he was being marked very heavily by Eric Dier and whoever else could come in and help.

Ross Barkley even got in the book near the hour mark for taking down the onrushing Croat, who looked to free Perisic but was taken out before he could make that pass.

Part of his isolation was lack of any real attacking threat from other midfielders, and England's sustained pressure, as Modric made three last-ditch clearances on the night.

Ivan Rakitic and/or Mateo Kovacic's presence could have really tipped the scales a bit more evenly, but that wasn't to be the case as both men were out for the game.