Ignashevich retires after Russia’s fall

Sergei Ignashevich. AFP MOSCOW, Russia — Defender Sergei Ignashevich has announced his retirement from football after Russia lost to Croatia in the World Cup quarterfinals.

The 38-year-old holds the Russian record for most international appearances with 127 and his last act on a football field was to convert a penalty in Saturday’s shootout loss to Croatia.

“I feel pleasure and peace because I’m finishing on a high note by playing at the World Cup, in a quarterfinal with an excellent team and an excellent coach,” he said in a video statement released by the Russian team.

He added that he would have retired as professional footballer earlier if not for the World Cup and now plans to become a coach.

Ignashevich started all five of the host nation’s games at the World Cup, as Russia generally played a deep defensive line, which compensated for his lack of speed.