Robben miss World Cup and retires from Dutch team

Arjen Robben ensured that the Netherlands bowed out of World Cup qualification in some style Tuesday, scoring both goals as the Dutch beat Sweden 2-0 before then announcing his retirement from international football.

Netherland's Arjen Robben applaudes to supporters at the end of the World Cup Group A soccer qualifying match between the Netherlands and Sweden at the ArenA stadium in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

The winning margin at the Amsterdam Arena was nowhere near enough for the Netherlands, which had to beat Sweden by seven goals to move into second place in Group A.

The Swedes, who looked content to defend throughout the match, finished second and go into a playoff for the World Cup in Russia next year. France beat Belarus 2-1 to seal top spot in the group and automatic qualification.

The Netherlands, a three-time World Cup runner-up, has now missed out on the World Cup after failing to qualify for last year's European Championship in France.

Netherland's Arjen Robben thumbs up to supporters at the end of the World Cup Group A soccer qualifying match between the Netherlands and Sweden at the ArenA stadium in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

It has been a dramatic fall from grace for a Dutch team that reached the semifinals at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, four years after losing the final in South Africa.

But it was a fittingly bitter-sweet end for one of the greatest wingers the Netherlands has produced, who may be best remembered for a goal he didn't score - against Spain in the 2010 World Cup final, when Iker Casillas made an outstanding save to keep the Dutchman at bay. Spain won 1-0 in extra time.

Tuesday's performance was vintage Robben. He darted past defenders, drifted in from the right flank and shot with his left foot, fell theatrically under a Swedish tackle and pleaded with the referee for a free kick. He fired up his team, urging them forward and fell to his knees, pounding the turf with both hands, when he hit an inaccurate pass.

Netherland's Arjen Robben grimaces during a World Cup Group A soccer qualifying match between the Netherlands and Sweden at the ArenA stadium in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

"I wanted to show one more time all the things that I can do," Robben told Dutch broadcaster NOS as he announced his retirement from the national team.

As the seconds ticked away toward the final whistle, thousands of fans at the Amsterdam Arena rose to give him a standing ovation, chanting "Arjen, thanks!" in Dutch.

If other players had e mulated Robben's finishing prowess Tuesday night, the Dutch would have been much closer to the unlikely score they needed.

Defender Kenny Tete and midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum both squandered good chances in the first half and Ryan Babel came close with a long-range free kick.

Netherland's Arjen Robben stands during the national anthem prior to the start of a World Cup Group A soccer qualifying match between the Netherlands and Sweden at the ArenA stadium in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

It was 33-year-old Robben's 96th and final international for the Netherlands and he stamped his authority all over the match, taking his tally of goals to 37, level with Dennis Bergkamp and fourth on the all-time list of scorers.

"Arjen was one of - still is - one of the best players ... in the world," coach Dick Advocaat said. "He is just a quality player. We will miss him, no doubt about that."

After the final whistle, Robben completed a slow lap of honor with his two young sons, one of them netting a couple of goals with his left foot to roars from the crowd.

Robben gave the Netherlands the lead when he converted - though only just - a 16th minute penalty with a fluffed Panenka chip.

Netherland's Arjen Robben celebrates after scoring his second goal during a World Cup Group A soccer qualifying match between the Netherlands and Sweden at the ArenA stadium in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

There was no sign of a mis-hit for his second goal, a powerful first-time shot from just outside the penalty area that fizzed past Sweden goalkeeper Robin Olsen and into the top corner in the 40th minute.

"Normally it would be beautiful, but it is tough not to go to the World Cup," Robben said, as he ended a career that had many high points on a low.

Netherland's Arjen Robben applaudes to supporters at the end of the World Cup Group A soccer qualifying match between the Netherlands and Sweden at the ArenA stadium in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

Netherland's Arjen Robben celebrates after scoring the second goal during a World Cup Group A soccer qualifying match between the Netherlands and Sweden at the ArenA stadium in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

Netherland's Arjen Robben, greets supporters as he leaves the pitch flanked by his sons at the end of the World Cup Group A soccer qualifying match between the Netherlands and Sweden at the ArenA stadium in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

Netherland's Arjen Robben celebrates after scoring the opening goal on a penalty during a World Cup Group A soccer qualifying match between the Netherlands and Sweden at the ArenA stadium in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — The Swedish parliament passed a law Wednesday lowering the age required for people to legally change their gender from 18 to 16. Those under 18 still need approval from a guardian, a doctor and the National Board of Health and Welfare.

No longer required is a gender dysphoria diagnosis, defined by medical professionals as psychological distress experienced by those whose gender expression does not match their gender identity.

Sweden joins a number of countries with similar laws including Denmark, Norway, Finland and Spain.

The vote in Sweden passed 234-94 with 21 lawmakers absent, following a debate that lasted for nearly six hours.

Sweden Democrats, the populist party with far-right roots that supports the government in parliament but is not part of the government, opposed the law.

Jimmie Akesson, leader of the Sweden Democrats, told reporters it was “deplorable that a proposal that clearly lacks the support of the population is so lightly voted through.”

But Johan Hultberg with the Moderates of Sweden’s conservative prime minister, Ulf Kristersson, called the outcome “gratifying.” Hultberg called it “a cautious but important reform for a vulnerable group. I’m glad we’re done with it."

Kristersson's center-right coalition had been split on the issue, with the Moderates and the Liberals largely supporting the law while the small Christian Democrats were against it.

Peter Sidlund Ponkala, chairman of the Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex Rights, known by its Swedish acronym RFSL, called the law's passage “a step in the right direction” and “a recognition for everyone who has been waiting for decades for a new law.”

Elias Fjellander, chairman of the organization’s youth branch, said it would make life better for its members. “Going forward, we are pushing to strengthen gender-affirming care, to introduce a third legal gender and to ban conversion attempts,” Fjellander said in a statement.

Last Friday, German lawmakers approved similar legislation, making it easier for transgender, intersex and nonbinary people to change their name and gender in official records directly at registry offices.

In the U.K., the Scottish parliament in 2022 passed a bill allowing people aged 16 or older to change their gender designation on identity documents by self-declaration. It was vetoed by the British government, a decision that Scotland’s highest civil court upheld in December. The legislation set Scotland apart from the rest of the U.K., where the minimum age is 18 and a medical diagnosis is required.

A view of the Swedish Parliament as lawmakers vote on the new gender identity law, in Stockholm, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. The Swedish parliament passed a law Wednesday lowering the age required for people to legally change their gender from 18 to 16. Young people under 18 will still need approval from a guardian, a doctor, and the National Board of Health and Welfare. The government of Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has been split on the issue.(Jessica Gow/TT News Agency via AP)