Rooney Breaks 45-Year-Old Goal Scoring Record In England

Wayne Rooney on Tuesday netted his 50th international goal in a 2016 European Championship qualifier at home to Switzerland thereby breaking Bobby Charlton’s 45-year-old England scoring.

Harry Kane had opened the scoring for the England before Wayne Rooney slammed a penalty into the top-left corner in the 84th minute at Wembley Stadium to put Roy Hodgson’s side 2-0 up.

Rooney’s goal took the 29-year-old Manchester United striker past Charlton’s mark, which had stood since May 1970, and made him the first England player to score a half-century of goals.

It came on his 107th appearance for his country, which is one more than Charlton achieved during a storied international career that took in England’s triumph on home soil at the 1966 World Cup.

Rooney pointed to the sky in celebration and appeared to wipe away tears after being granted a standing ovation by the majority of the 75,751 fans in attendance.

The former Everton striker is also closing in on Charlton’s United scoring record and requires 17 goals to surpass the former midfielder’s tally of 249 at club level.