Croatia lost 2-1 to Spain in the UEFA Nations League A fourth round. After the match, Modric was interviewed and asked about his conversation with Cucurella.

Towards the end of the match, Cucurella was booed in Split, Croatia. The crowd's anger stemmed from an incident in the 79th minute when the score was 1-1: Cucurella collided with Perisic, who had already received a yellow card, while both were running for the ball. Although the veteran tried to avoid contact, his knee lightly touched Cucurella's foot.

Cucurella immediately fell to the ground and demanded that his opponent be sent off. Belgian referee Erik Lambrechts granted his request, sending Perisic off with a second yellow card for a red. VAR, which can intervene in situations involving two yellow cards leading to a red this season, reviewed the incident but found no reason to intervene. Playing with ten men, Croatia subsequently lost the match due to Merino's late goal—and Cucurella was booed by the crowd for his role in the two yellow cards.

Modric had already been substituted when the incident occurred, but he spoke with Cucurella after the match.

Modric said after the match: "What more can I say? Cucurella made that gesture himself. I don't even know what this new VAR system is about... If we had maintained equal numbers, I am sure we would not have lost. As for what I said to Cucurella, it's better if I don't say."

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