adminLONDON. — An emotional Wayne Rooney became England’s all-time leading goal-scorer after netting his 50th international goal in a historic 2-0 victory over Switzerland at Wembley in a Euro 2016 soccer qualifier on Tuesday night. With England having already qualified for next year’s tournament, the stage was set for their captain to surpass Bobby Charlton’s 45-year-old mark of 49, which he had equalled in Saturday’s 6-0 win in San Marino.
After substitute Harry Kane broke the deadlock, the moment duly arrived in the 84th minute, Rooney crashing a penalty into Yann Sommer’s top-right corner and being rewarded with a standing ovation that left him wiping away tears.
“It’s a great feeling,” said Rooney (29), who was overcome with emotion after becoming England’s all-time record scorer. “I’ve been close for the last few games and it’s a dream come true. I was a bit emotional. It’s a huge honour and one I am extremely proud of.
“I knew it was a big moment and just picked my corner and put my foot through it. To be the record scorer before the age of 30 is nothing I could have imagined.” Asked to describe his feelings, Rooney, who equalled Charlton’s record also with a penalty away to San Marino on Saturday, said: “It’s a great feeling obviously.
“I’ve known I’ve been close to it for the last few England games and to finally do it is a dream come true and as you’ve probably seen I was a bit emotional out there. “It’s a huge honour and something I’m extremely proud of and am happy it’s done and hopefully I can kick on from here and concentrate now and again on the team and hopefully success in the future,” he told ITV.
“I am pleased its out of the way because now I don’t have to keep on being asked questions about it.”
Rooney blasted his penalty past Yann Sommer making sure he hit it with enough venom to give the Swiss keeper no chance.
“It was a big moment for me and I just picked my corner and put my boot through it to get as much power on it as possible and make it hard for the goalkeeper and the keeper got a touch and thankfully it had too much power so I’m grateful for that.”
Asked where it ranked in a career in which he has won five English Premier League titles and the Champions League, he said: “It’s right up there if not the best to be your country’s all-time leading goalscorer before the age of 30.
“It’s something I could never have dreamt of. I’m extremely proud tonight.” Rooney praised England manager Roy Hodgson for helping him achieve his milestone after taking over the job in 2012. “Since Roy come in I’ve scored a lot of goals and I’m grateful to him for letting me play with the freedom which I’ve enjoyed,” he said.
Charlton, whose Manchester United record of 249 goals is also being eroded by Rooney, was quick to offer congratulations. “I would like to congratulate Wayne on becoming England’s leading goal-scorer,” the 77-year-old, emblem of England’s 1966 World Cup win, said in a statement.
“I obviously cannot deny that I am disappointed that I now don’t hold this record, however, I am absolutely delighted that it is Wayne, as captain of my beloved club and country, who now holds this record.” — AFP.
Online Reporter