Source: Xinhua| 2018-07-02 04:23:00|Editor: Yurou

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By Michael Place

MOSCOW, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Andres Iniesta described Spain's World Cup elimination on penalties on Sunday as the saddest day of his career as he confirmed his retirement from international football.

Hosts Russia defeated the 2010 champions 4-3 in a penalty shootout after the scores were tied 1-1 at the end of extra time in their round of 16 duel.

"It's my last match with the national team," said Iniesta, who left the Luzhniki Stadium pitch in tears. "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."

The scorer of Spain's winner against the Netherlands in the 2010 World Cup final added: "At an individual level a great period has finished. Sometimes finals don't go the way we hope or dream. Overall it's probably the saddest day of my career. I leave with a bad taste in my mouth. It's tough for everybody. On an individual level it hasn't been the best farewell but football and life is like that."

Iniesta surprisingly began Sunday's match on the bench but made an immediate impact after replacing David Silva in the 67th minute with his one-touch passing and clever runs into space. The 34-year-old also forced a lunging save from goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev with a long-range shot five minutes from time.

He coolly converted Spain's first penalty attempt in the shootout before Russia goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev saved shots from Koke and Iago Aspas.

Sunday's result capped a difficult tournament for Spain. The team's World Cup plans were thrown into turmoil two days before their first match when coach Julen Lopetegui was sacked after it was revealed he had accepted a position to join Real Madrid.

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 [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 side Vissel Kobe next season after ending his 22-year 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."