October 10 will go down in history as the date when one of the most decisive Dutch players of all-time decided to leave his National Team. Captain Arjen Robben will bid farewell to the Oranje after 14 years, where he led the team to the second place in the 2010 World Cup and a third-place finish in the 2014 edition.
It was an emotional game right from the start for Robben, as he visibly cried when the Dutch National Anthem was being played. Later, the talented wingman scored a brace for the Oranje, first with a Panenka-style penalty, and with a left-footed thunder after 40 minutes.
Robben's international career will come to a close in a disappointing manner, especially after missing out on the 2016 Euro and the 2018 World Cup.
"Netherlands: First team since Turkey in 2006 to miss out on the World Cup after finishing 3rd in the previous edition."
Holanda: Primer país desde Turquía en 2006 que se pierde el #Mundial tras terminar 3ro en la edición anterior. #EliminatoriasRusia2018 pic.twitter.com/8xaInvaOzl
— ESPN Datos (@ESPNDatos) October 10, 2017
Robben leaves the Dutch side as the fourth best scorer of all time with 39 goals, surpassing legends such as Dennis Bergkamp, Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Johan Cruyff. His contribution wasn't limited to scoring goals, as these numbers reflect.
112 - Arjen Robben scored or assisted a goal once every 112 minutes for the Netherlands (37 goals, 29 assists). Farewell. pic.twitter.com/macLLT3ROE
— OptaJohan (@OptaJohan) October 10, 2017