Ignashevich's Russia century celebrated
Saturday, September 5, 2015
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Sergei Ignashevich had two reasons to celebrate as UEFA recognised his three-figure haul of Russia caps on the night of a crucial Group G victory against Sweden.
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"I set myself a goal of playing 100 national-team games and I am really happy that I managed to achieve that," Sergei Ignashevich told UEFA.com after he received a UEFA award to recognise his feat in reaching three figures before Saturday's 1-0 UEFA EURO 2016 Group G qualifying win against Sweden in Moscow.
The 36-year-old has been a defensive stalwart for his country since making his debut in 2002, in a 1-1 friendly draw against Sweden in which Zlatan Ibrahimović scored an added-time equaliser. The striker was not able to replicate that form in the sides' latest meeting, though, Ignashevich helping the hosts register a clean sheet on what was his 108th national-team appearance.
The CSKA Moskva player collected his commemorative medal and cap from the Russian sports minister and Russian Football Union (RFS) president Vitali Mutko in front of a capacity crowd at the Otkrytie Arena. After the match he told UEFA.com: "I sincerely hope that all the members of our team and the Swedish team also manage to reach this mark in their careers."
Ignashevich had attained his century last summer in admittedly unhappy circumstances; his 100th game was the 1-1 draw with Algeria in Curitiba which spelled elimination for Russia at the FIFA World Cup finals in Brazil.
