Spain legend Iniesta retires after 'saddest day'
Moscow, July 2 : A Spain legend Andres Iniesta announced his retirement from international football here on Sunday after their shocking loss to hosts Russia in the pre-quarterfinals of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
"It's a reality that today is my last match with the national team. At the individual level, a wonderful stage ends," the hero of Spain's only World Cup championship in 2010 told reporters at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium, reports Efe.
"It's a shame we couldn't go through. Penalties are cruel. The guilty ones are always the players and everyone of us is responsible," he added.
"Overall it's probably the saddest day of my career. I leave with a bad taste in my mouth.AIt's tough for everybody, the 34-year-old midfielder said, acknowledging his disappointment about losing to underdogs Russia on penalty kicks.
With 13 goals in 131 appearances for Spain, Iniesta was a vital part of the La Roja side that claimed the 2008 and 2012 European Championships as well as the 2010 World Cup, where he scored the winning goal.
Iniesta declined to second-guess coach Fernando Hierro's decision to leave him on the bench until past the one-hour mark of Sunday's match.
"The coach is the one who makes the decision, beyond whether one agrees or not," Iniesta said. "At the end, the coach looks at what's best for the team, and that's how I understood it," he added, reports Xinhua news agency.
Iniesta said the players could not blame turbulence off the pitch for their failure to live up to expectations. "It would be wrong to say that (coach Julen Lopetegui's) dismissal was fundamental," he said.
"Everything has its importance. But in the end, we are the ones who have the ball."
Iniesta, who will play for Japanese club Vissel Kobe next season after ending his 22-year FC Barcelona career in May, is confident Spain can rebuild ahead of the next World Cup in Qatar.
"There are players around, they just have to find a path to success," he said. "It's not easy and harder than it appears. But the national team will keep going there are players who have a good level."
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India beat SA by 135 runs in 4th T20I, clinch series 3-1
Johannesburg, Nov 15: India beat South Africa by 135 runs in the fourth and final T20 International to clinch series 3-1 here on Friday.
Opting to bat, India posted a massive 283 for 1, thanks to unbeaten centuries from Tilak Varma (120 not out off 47 balls) and Sanju Samson (109 not out off 56 balls), and then bowled South Africa out for 148 in 18.2 overs.
Tristan Stubbs top-scored for South Africa with 46 while David Miller contributed 36.
For India, pacer Arshdeep Singh was the most successful bowler with figures of 3/20 while Varun Chakravarthy (2/42) and Axar Patel (2/6) got two wickets each.
Hardik Pandya, Ramandeep Singh and Ravi Bishnoi got a wicket each.
Brief Scores:
India: 283 for 1 in 20 overs (Sanju Samson 109 not out, Tilak Varma 120 not out; Lutho Sipamla 1/58).
South Africa: 148 all out in 18.2 overs (Tristan Stubbs 46, David Miller 36; Arshdeep Singh 3/20).
