Russia’s Ignashevich retires after World Cup exit

Moscow: Russia’s most-capped player Sergei Ignashevich announced his retirement from football on Sunday after the hosts were eliminated by Croatia on penalties in the World Cup quarter-final hours earlier.

The 38-year-old defender, who spent his entire club career at Russian clubs, was a key member of Russia’s run to the last eight at their home tournament, having played in each of their five matches.

According to world football’s governing body Fifa he earned a total of 127 caps, scoring nine goals, and holding the record for most international appearances by any Russian player.

Ignashevich also captained CSKA Moscow to the 2005 Uefa Cup title.