Netherlands winger Arjen Robben retires from international football

Arjen Robben has announced his retirement from international football following the Netherlands’ failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

The 33-year-old scored both Oranje goals in Tuesday evening’s 2-0 win over Sweden in Group A.

However, Dick Advocaat’s side could not overturn their opponents’ superior goal difference in a bid to reach the playoffs, condemning the Dutch to a second successive tournament absence.

“I want to focus on my club now,” the Bayern Munich veteran told reporters after the match in Amsterdam. “It’s a good time to pass the torch to the next generation.”

Robben ends his international career with 37 goals in 96 appearances, having first donned the Holland shirt in 2003.