Wayne Rooney confirmed his place in the England record books last night, as he became the country’s leading goalscorer when his thunderous penalty gave Roy Hodgson’s men a 2-0 lead over Switzerland, and the skipper his 50th goal for the Three Lions.
The Manchester United man – who moved level with Sir Bobby Charlton with another penalty, this time against San Marino at the weekend – may have thought that he was going to have to wait until the final Euro 2016 qualifiers take place next month before he could reach the landmark as it wasn’t until the 84th minute when the opportunity presented itself as Raheem Sterling was brought down inside the box.
Yann Sommer did his best to spoil Rooney’s moment, but the power on the strike meant that his right hand could only help the ball fly into the top corner of the net.
Unsurprisingly, fans and former players alike have been quick to congratulate the 29-year-old on the remarkable half-century:
Congratulations @waynerooney on succeeding where all others have failed by becoming England’s highest ever scorer http://t.co/ourdZdK5tL
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) September 8, 2015
Congratulations @WayneRooney. England’s all-time record goalscorer! #Rooney50 #EngvSwi pic.twitter.com/b2B29SM2Sd — The FA (@FA) September 8, 2015
Yeeeeeeeaaaaahhhhh!! Yes Wazza Lad! Well done mate #RecordBreaker
— Ashley Young (@youngy18) September 8, 2015
Alan Shearer + Jermain Defoe = Wayne Rooney. Or Michael Owen + Paul Gascoigne = Wayne Rooney. — Chris Mayer (@chrismayerV1) September 8, 2015
Wayne Rooney is England’s highest ever Goalscorer, what a night for him & it’s 50 up more goals than any other England player @BreatheSport
— Chris Kamara (@chris_kammy) September 8, 2015
7 – Wayne Rooney has now scored in seven consecutive competitive games for England – a post-war record. Great. — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 8, 2015
Rooney now only 20 international goals behind Stern John
— Duncan Alexander (@oilysailor) September 8, 2015
I will eventually overtake him Clive. #49owngoals — Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) September 8, 2015
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