Emotional Rooney breaks scoring record
Wayne Rooney was overcome with emotion after becoming England’s all-time record scorer when he smashed home his 50th goal with an 84th minute penalty in a Euro 2016 qualifier against Switzerland at Wembley on Tuesday (Wednesday NZ time).
The England skipper, who scored from the spot after Granit Xhaka had fouled Raheem Ster- ling, has now passed the mark of 49 goals set by Bobby Charlton in May 1970.
The FA presented the 29-yearold with a replica shirt with ‘‘Rooney 50’’ on the back in the dressing room after the 2-0 win secured top spot in Group E for already-qualified England.
Charlton will be invited to present fellow Manchester United great Rooney with a golden boot to mark the record before England’s next home match against Estonia in October.
Asked to describe his feelings, Rooney, who equalled Charlton’s record also with a penalty away to San Marino on Saturday (Sunday NZ time), 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 happy it’s done and hopefully I can kick on from here and concentrate now again on the team and hopefully success in the future,’’ he said.
Rooney blasted his penalty past Yann Sommer.
‘‘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 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 goal-scorer before the age of 30.’’
Manchester United legend Charlton, who became England’s record scorer in 1968 and netted his 49th goal in the 1970 World Cup, paid tribute to Rooney.
Charlton said he expected Rooney to hold the record for ‘‘a long time’’ and continue scoring goals for club and country for years to come.