England qualify for Euro 2016 as Rooney equals record

September 05, 2015 23:40 IST

England's Wayne Rooney

IMAGE: England's Wayne Rooney during the Euro qualifier against San Marino. Photograph: Carl Recine Livepic/Action Images via Reuters

England qualified for Euro 2016 after crushing San Marino 6-0 on Saturday, with Wayne Rooney equalling Bobby Charlton's all-time scoring record of 49 goals for his country.

The visitors outclassed San Marino's part-timers as they chalked up a seventh successive Group E win to seal their place in France next year.

Rooney equalled Charlton's record when he scored with a 13th-minute penalty, sending goalkeeper Aldo Simoncini the wrong way. Charlton's record had stood since May 1970.

Cristian Brolli headed into his own net after 30 minutes before Ross Barkley nodded home seconds after halftime with his first goal for England.

Substitute Theo Walcott made it 4-0 with a tap-in at the far post in the 68th minute. Harry Kane, who replaced Rooney in the 57th, scored England's fifth with an exquisite chip before Walcott slid in the sixth goal in the 76th.

Get Rediff News in your Inbox:

Source:

© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.