Andres Iniesta's last kick in a Spain shirt was a successful penalty in the shoot-out against Russia, but it wasn't enough to stop them crashing out of the 2018 World Cup. Peter Powell / EPA
Andres Iniesta's last kick in a Spain shirt was a successful penalty in the shoot-out against Russia, but it wasn't enough to stop them crashing out of the 2018 World Cup. Peter Powell / EPA
Andres Iniesta's last kick in a Spain shirt was a successful penalty in the shoot-out against Russia, but it wasn't enough to stop them crashing out of the 2018 World Cup. Peter Powell / EPA
Andres Iniesta's last kick in a Spain shirt was a successful penalty in the shoot-out against Russia, but it wasn't enough to stop them crashing out of the 2018 World Cup. Peter Powell / EPA

Andres Iniesta on Spain retirement: Sometimes the endings are not as one dreams


John McAuley
  • English
  • Arabic

Andres Iniesta could barely hide his disappointment, the anguish writ large upon his face.

Spain were eliminated from the World Cup, defeated 4-3 on penalties by hosts Russia in Moscow on Sunday. Much to everyone's surprise, the 2010 champions had been knocked out in the first knockout round by the tournament's lowest-ranked side.

And so Iniesta’s final World Cup match proved his last for Spain, too. At 34, and already the match-winner in the final eight years ago, the former Barcelona midfielder announced his international retirement immediately afterwards.

Stopping for the assembled journalists deep inside the Luzhniki Stadium, he confirmed that his days in Spanish red were done.

“Today was my last game with the national team,” said Iniesta, who started the last-16 clash on the bench and was not introduced until the 67th minute. "Sometimes the endings are not as one dreams.”

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Read more

World Cup 2018: Day 19 updates - No sympathy for Ramos, Neymar in action

Who's crying now? Fans mock tearful Sergio Ramos after Spain World Cup exit

In pictures: Best images so far from the World Cup 2018 in Russia

John McAuley: Russia rumble on at World Cup as Spain suffer heartache in penalty shoot-out

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Far from it: Iniesta described it as the saddest day of an international career that spanned 12 years and 131 caps. In that time, he helped seal success at the European Championship in 2008 and 2012, and scored the goal to clinch the 2010 World Cup, although Spain's past three major tournaments have ended before the quarter-final stage.

Last month, Iniesta left Barcelona following 22 years at the Nou Camp, having won 32 trophies and made 674 senior appearances. A one-club man until that point, he has signed for Japanese top-flight team Vissel Kobe.

“As a whole, surely it has to be [the saddest day], at the moment elimination and on a personal level,” Iniesta said. “But life goes on and we need to think of other things now.

“Hopefully in a near future we can change these disappointing situations of the last Euros and World Cup. I believe there’s enough players and people to find the right way and I wish they find it.”

INTERACTIVE: World Cup wall chart

Iniesta’s farewell was frustratingly brief. Dropped to the bench by manager Fernando Hierro, his final contribution to his country’s cause was an expertly dispatched penalty in the shootout after the Russia encounter had finished 1-1.

Although his omission came as a shock to many, Iniesta said he had been told beforehand that he would not be starting.

“Of course, you want to play and you always expect the best,” he said. “The manager always thinks the best for the team and he’s got to make the decisions even though one agrees with them or not.”

Asked to assess Spain’s World Cup, Iniesta said: “Well, it can’t be very positive when you’re out of it before the quarter-final. But ultimately we tried everything, in a more accurate or less successful way, it wasn’t enough.

“In football, when you lose it’s because you missed many things. What we’ve done wasn’t enough. However, it isn’t the moment to analyse that and the circumstances; there will be more time to fix it in a near future.”

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

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Rankings

ATP: 1. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 10,955 pts; 2. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 8,320; 3. Alexander Zverev (GER) 6,475 ( 1); 5. Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) 5,060 ( 1); 6. Kevin Anderson (RSA) 4,845 ( 1); 6. Roger Federer (SUI) 4,600 (-3); 7. Kei Nishikori (JPN) 4,110 ( 2); 8. Dominic Thiem (AUT) 3,960; 9. John Isner (USA) 3,155 ( 1); 10. Marin Cilic (CRO) 3,140 (-3)

WTA: 1. Naomi Osaka (JPN) 7,030 pts ( 3); 2. Petra Kvitova (CZE) 6,290 ( 4); 3. Simona Halep (ROM) 5,582 (-2); 4. Sloane Stephens (USA) 5,307 ( 1); 5. Karolina Pliskova (CZE) 5,100 ( 3); 6. Angelique Kerber (GER) 4,965 (-4); 7. Elina Svitolina (UKR) 4,940; 8. Kiki Bertens (NED) 4,430 ( 1); 9. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 3,566 (-6); 10. Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) 3,485 ( 1)

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Milestones on the road to union

1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

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While you're here
ICC Awards for 2021

MEN

Cricketer of the Year – Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan)

T20 Cricketer of the Year – Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan)

ODI Cricketer of the Year – Babar Azam (Pakistan)

Test Cricketer of the Year – Joe Root (England)

WOMEN

Cricketer of the Year – Smriti Mandhana (India)

ODI Cricketer of the Year – Lizelle Lee (South Africa)

T20 Cricketer of the Year – Tammy Beaumont (England)

The%20pillars%20of%20the%20Dubai%20Metaverse%20Strategy
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The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

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Crazy Rich Asians

Director: Jon M Chu

Starring: Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Michelle Yeon, Gemma Chan

Four stars

What are the main cyber security threats?

Cyber crime - This includes fraud, impersonation, scams and deepfake technology, tactics that are increasingly targeting infrastructure and exploiting human vulnerabilities.
Cyber terrorism - Social media platforms are used to spread radical ideologies, misinformation and disinformation, often with the aim of disrupting critical infrastructure such as power grids.
Cyber warfare - Shaped by geopolitical tension, hostile actors seek to infiltrate and compromise national infrastructure, using one country’s systems as a springboard to launch attacks on others.

Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction

Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.

Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.

Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.

Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.

Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.

What are the guidelines?

Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.

Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.

Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.

Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.

Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.

Source: American Paediatric Association
Dates for the diary

To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:

  • September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
  • October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
  • October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
  • November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
  • December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
  • February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

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Brief scores:

Manchester United 4

Young 13', Mata 28', Lukaku 42', Rashford 82'

Fulham 1

Kamara 67' (pen),

Red card: Anguissa (68')

Man of the match: Juan Mata (Man Utd)

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Sidr Honey

The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest

Samar Honey

The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments