Andres Iniesta confirmed he has played his last game for Spain after they crashed out of the World Cup on penalties to Russia after Sunday’s round-of-16 game in Moscow finished 1-1 after extra time.Iniesta, 34, had said in May that he was likely to step aside from La Roja after the tournament, although he later said he couldn’t rule out a return. However, after coming off the bench in Spain’s exit, he confirmed his plans for his international retirement.
“This was my last game for Spain,” Iniesta told reporters. “A marvellous spell is over. Sometimes the end is not as you dreamed it.” With 131 appearances, Iniesta was Spain’s fourth-most-capped player, behind Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos and Xavi Hernandez.The midfield maestro, who is also leaving Barcelona to play for Japanese club Vissel Kobe next season, scored 13 international goals in his career, most notably the winner in extra time of the 2010 World Cup final. “It’s bad, it’s tough,” he said of Spain’s exit. “It’s a difficult moment, one we have been through on various occasions — we weren’t capable of going that little bit extra.