In another fascinating day of World Cup action, Spain became another name on the growing list of big teams that have exited the tournament.

They join Germany, Portugal and Argentina on their respective flights home after a 4-2 defeat to hosts Russia on penalties, having been held 1-1 after extra time.

Sergei Ignashevich's early own goal put Spain ahead and seemingly in cruise control, but they were pegged back by Artem Dzyuba's penalty, following Gerard Pique's schoolboy handball.

Russia held on ruggedly for the remaining 80 minutes when taking into account the extra period, but in truth Fernando Hierro's team served up some of the same dross as in their games against Iran and Morocco.

In fact, they were very close to going out at the group stage for a second consecutive World Cup, and really were quite lucky to have progressed.

The sacking of Julen Lopetegui on the eve of the tournament quite clearly damaged the team, and the whole set-up will surely have major regrets about how everything transpired.

It's been arguably the most open World Cup ever, with several of the less-fancied teams progressing nicely, and Spain wouldn't have faced any of the bigger names until the final.

So instead of the jubilation of a possible second success on the global stage, the footballing world were faced with the exit of a true great.

Andres Iniesta announced his retirement from international football after the game, having also left Barcelona at the end of the season.

One of the most technically gifted footballers we've seen in recent years, he now heads to play out his career in Japan knowing he has won everything he possibly could've done.

You could sense the regret in his emotional confirmation of his retirement though, which could rock even the most hardened of football fans.

"It is a reality that is my last match with the national team," he started.

"Sometimes the endings are not as one dreams. It is the saddest day of my career."

Though it is sad to see him bow out of the international game, he does leave a massive legacy on it.

He famously scored the winning goal in extra-time of the 2010 World Cup final for Spain, earning them the trophy for the first ever time, and was part of their European Championship winning teams in 2008 and 2012.

Iniesta won 32 trophies with Barcelona, making 674 appearances for the club in the process.

Spain's task is now to rebuild, and try and find an adequate replacement for him.

However, it is very unlikely we'll ever see another Andres Iniesta again.