ENGLAND 2, SWITZERLAND 0
It was a night that belonged firmly to Wayne Rooney as he made history by becoming England’s all-time leading goalscorer.
Rooney overtook the legendary Sir Bobby Charlton with his 50th senior goal for England in the Euro 2016 qualifying victory against Switzerland at Wembley.
After what had been a frustrating night for the Manchester United striker, he finally notched his record-breaking goal with six minutes left of his 107th appearance.
The penalty, which sealed an eighth straight victory in the qualifying group, lifted the roof off Wembley and met with an explosion of camera flashbulbs with England manager Roy Hodgson leading the applause from the touchline.
And David Beckham was also on his feet in a hospitality box as he, too, gave his seal of approval for the Old Trafford favourite.
It was a moment to savour for Rooney who said: “It is a great feeling. Obviously I have known I was close in the last few England games.
“It is a dream come true and you could see I was emotional. It is a great honour, but I am glad it is done and I can now concentrate on the team and the future.”
Rooney admitted he was nervous as he stepped forward to take the penalty.
He explained: “Of course I was nervous as I knew it was a big moment. I picked a corner and put my foot through it to make it hard for the keeper. He got a touch, but thankfully it went in.”
Rooney added it was up there alongside the best moments of his career.
He said: “To be record scorer before the age of 30 is something I never dreamt of, and I am extremely proud.
“I never looked too far ahead and took each game and year as it came. I went through a spell around 2008 when I didn’t score for a couple of years for England.
“Since Roy became manager, I have scored a lot of goals and I am grateful to him as he lets me play with freedom.”
There was lavish praise from Hodgson who also revealed the players presented Rooney with a special shirt after the game emblazoned with the number 50.
He said: “I am delighted for Wayne, first and foremost for breaking the record and getting his 50th goal and showing the courage to blast it into the roof of the net.
“Second I am pleased with the result and third for Harry Kane. The headlines will be for Wayne Rooney, but perhaps the sub head should be for Harry and also the fact we have played eight qualifying games and won them all.”
Hodgson can see no reason why Rooney cannot play for England for a further three years and, given there are around 10 games each season, he could conceivably score another 10/15 goals.
He said: “Knowing Wayne, he is delighted and proud for himself and his family.
“It will not be in his head how many goals he has scored, but about the team and winning tournaments and, if not that, helping England do well.”
It was also revealed there will be a night of celebration next month Euro qualifier against Estonia at Wembley to mark Rooney’s achievement with Sir Bobby presenting him with a golden boot.
Hodgson made four changes from the side that hit San Marino for six on Saturday when they became the first national to qualify for the finals of Euro 2016.
There was a new central-defensive pairing as Chris Smalling and Gary Cahill replaced Phil Jagielka and John Stones. Fabien Delph came in for Ross Barkley and Raheem Sterling for Jamie Vardy.
Switzerland, second in Group E, still have work to do to ensure automatic qualification for the finals.
Their side included Premier League stars Xherdan Shaqiri (Stoke City), Gokhan Inler (Leicester City) and Valon Behrami (Watford).
Delph’s night was over scarcely before it began when he was hurt in the opening minute and was replaced by Barkley after pulling a hamstring.
England had the first chance of the night when Cahill’s header, from James Milner’s corner, forced a scrambling save from keeper Yann Sommer.
Rooney had his first opening in the 17th minute but shot tamely wide as he sought the goal which would make him England’s all-time leading scorer.
The England captain then turned provider setting up Milner who fired straight at Sommer.
England keeper Joe Hart had to race from his line to bravely save at the feet of Shaqiri as the Swiss had their first chance after half an hour.
Rooney narrowly failed to reach Sterling’s lofted pass as the ball cleared his head by a couple of feet on what was turning out to be a frustrating night for England.
Switzerland had another chance late in the half, but Josip Drmic dragged his shot wide.
It was proving a nearly night for Rooney as another cross cleared his head by a whisker, his looping header forced a stretching save from Sommer and then a scorching shot stretched Sommer – and those chances came in the opening 10 minutes of the second period.
Hart had to be alert to scramble away a header from Shaqiri as the Swiss made a rare sortie forward.
England made their first change after 57 minutes when striker Kane replaced Jonjo Shelvey in a bid to give their more attacking options.
While the spotlight remained on Rooney, it was Kane who broke the deadlock midway through the second half.
Rooney had a hand spraying a pass to Luke Shaw as the left back cut the ball back for Kane to sweep home a low shot from just inside the box for his third goal in four England appearances.
Rooney would have the final word, though, as he scored the record-breaking goal with six minutes left after Sterling was fouled by Granit Xhaka.
There was only going to be one taker and Rooney stepped forward to smash home his 50th senior goal for England into the roof of the net with the emotion such that he even shed a tear on this historic night.