The worst goodbye possible for Pique World Cup 2018 Had said he would leave side after World Cup

Gerard Pique will never forget the match that he played at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

Firstly, because he gave Russia the opportunity to get back into the World Cup last-16 game on the verge of half-time.

A clear handball late in the first half meant that Artem Dzyuba was gifted the chance to equalise from 12 yards and he duly took that chance.

Until that point, the hosts hadn't offered a serious threat to David De Gea's goal but a cross hung into the penalty area was handled in the air by Pique, influencing the trajectory of the ball. Despite protests against referee Bjorn Kuipers, the kick was awarded and Russia levelled.

In general, it was a complicated game for Pique who seemed to be lacking a little concentration at times when Russia attempted to break.

He played his last 120 minutes in the red jersey after announcing almost two years ago that he would retire from the international fold after the World Cup.

In October 2016, the Barcelona man made his way into the mixed zone after a qualification game against Albania, a game in which he courted some unfair controversy by cutting the sleeves on his white jersey.

Pique learned of the issues some had raised afterwards and delivered another bombshell by announcing that he would walk away after Russia.

"The next World Cup will be my last competition with Spain, the controversy of today is one of many and what I'm saying isn't in the heat of the moment," he said.

"I have thought a lot about things and I'm sorry but I won't play with the national team when the World Cup in Russia has finished."

During the tournament, he has reiterated that point that he intends to now walk away from La Roja duty.

After being eliminated on Sunday, Pique went through the mixed zone of the stadium without wanting to make any kind of statement.

The defender was one of the last players to leave the dressing room and made his way to the bus of the team with his headphones in, a serious look on his face and appearing downcast, not wanting to talk to the media.

Against Iran, Pique won his 100th cap for his country and the Spanish FA gave him a special jersey for reaching that centennial figure.

The ex-Manchester United man says goodbye after playing a total of 102 international games.