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) — Sweden should increase its annual military budget by nearly 54 billion kronor ($5 billion) by 2030 to strengthen its air defenses and beef up the number of conscripts, a Swedish parliamentary committee recommended Friday.

The Scandinavian country joined the NATO alliance in March, moving away from a decades-long policy of neutrality in the wake of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The report by the Defense Committee, which is made up of representatives of the eight political parties sitting in the Swedish parliament, said that NATO membership and the serious security situation require higher ambitions.

“An armed attack against Sweden or our allies cannot be ruled out,” the commission said in its report entitled “Strong defense capability, Sweden as an ally.”

Sweden’s air defense must also be expanded to meet threats from unmanned flying craft, more hunting and cruise missiles must be purchased and the navy should receive more personnel, according to the nearly 300-page report. It also suggested that the number of conscripts should gradually be increased to 12,000 in 2032. Presently there are about 8,000 conscripts in Sweden.

The recommendation follows similar moves in its two Scandinavian neighbors, both of them longstanding NATO members. Earlier this month, Norway said it would gradually increase the number of conscripted soldiers from 9,000 at present to 13,500 by 2036. Meanwhile, Denmark last month said it wants to increase the number of young people doing military service by extending conscription to women and increasing the time of service from four months to 11 months.

Swedish news agency TT quoted Defense Minister Pål Jonson saying the defense committee’s proposal was “necessary in light of the serious security policy situation in the world.”

Sweden’s current military budget for 2024 is about 119 billion kronor ($11 billion).

The center-right, three-party coalition of Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson is likely to follow most of the commission's recommendations in the report, which was presented Friday.

Swedish soldiers during the military exercise Aurora 23 at Berga naval base outside Stockholm, Friday, April 28, 2023. A Swedish parliament committee on Friday, April 26, 2024, said Sweden which recently joined NATO, should increase its military budget by nearly 54 billion kronor ($5 billion) until 2030 to strengthen the Scandinavian country's air defense and increase the number of conscripts, among others. (Anders Wiklund/TT News Agency via AP, File)