The 33-year-old Robben scored 37 times in 96 appearances for the Netherlands and helped them reach the 2010 World Cup final where they lost 1-0 to Spain after extra-time. The Dutch also progressed to the last four at the 2014 finals before losing to Argentina on penalties.
“Fourteen years, it’s beautiful, magnificent even,” said Robben, who made his international debut against Portugal in April 2003. “I will always remember the 2010 World Cup and 2014. Those are my best memories. During those two competitions we formed a real team.”
Chile’s Vidal retires from national team
Arturo Vidal says he is retiring from international football with his “soul crushed” after Chile failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup finals. Vidal missed Chile’s final shot at qualification on Tuesday through suspension, the South American champions losing 3-0 to Brazil to miss out on the tournament in Russia next year on goal difference.
Vidal, 30, announced his intention to step down from the national team on Twitter. “Thank you lads, for everything, for all these years together... for teaching me and for showing a country that with effort and work anything is possible in life,” the Bayern Munich midfielder wrote in Spanish. He said his “soul was crushed” but at the same time spoke of his “pride at players and staff”.
Vidal with Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal was part of the golden generation of Chile players that claimed the Copa America in 2015 and 2016. Chile, who were beaten by Brazil in the round of 16 at both the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, were soundly beaten again by Brazil in Sao Paulo on Tuesday.
The Chileans finished level on points with Peru, who secured a two-legged playoff against New Zealand, but trailed on goal difference to be placed out of the running in sixth in the final South American qualifying table. Chile’s Argentinean manager Juan Antonio Pizzi also announced his retirement from the team after Tuesday’s disappointment.
My fragile team will
improve, says Deschamps
France coach Didier Deschamps said on Tuesday he was excited by the challenge of moulding his young team into a true force after they qualified for next year’s World Cup. The French were made to work hard by a lively Belarus team before clinching a 2-1 win at the Stade de France and avoiding the perilous playoff route for the second-placed European teams.
After a bright start at the Stade de France underlined by goals from Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud, Les Bleus appeared to tire in the second half as the exertions of two matches in four days showed following a 1-0 win against Bulgaria in Sofia on Saturday.
“There was a bit of tiredness and fragility because a lot was at stake,” Deschamps said. “This is a young team that has many qualities but is young all the same and we were facing an opponent which never gave up and played with intensity and speed.”
Deschamps said he fully recognised that France had made life difficult for themselves with baffling results like a goalless draw with Luxembourg. “We didn’t control the matches,” he admitted. “I’m not deaf and blind, I can see that.”
With 18-year-old striker Kylian Mbappe the pick of the crop of an exciting young squad, Deschamps has a lot of material to work with. “We can make progress in every area,” he said, pointing a finger at his leaky defence.
Bale urges Coleman to stay on as Wales manager
Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale has called for Wales manager Chris Coleman to continue in his role despite their failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia. Ireland beat Wales 1-0 in their final World Cup qualifier in Cardiff on Monday to grab the final European playoff spot and end Wales’ hopes of qualifying for the World Cup finals for the first time since 1958. Coleman became Wales manager in 2012, after the death of former coach Gary Speed, and led the team to the semi-finals of the 2016 European Championships, and Bale believes the 47-year-old was still the best person for the role. “Of course we want him to stay,” Bale said. “What he has done for the team and Welsh football has been amazing... We don’t want to keep on looking back at the Euros, but for everyone it was incredible to be a part of that and we all want that again. It won’t be easy but Chris is the man who can keep us focused and positive and show us how to get the results we need.”