The goal came after Raheem Sterling was fouled in the box by Granit Xhaka, with Rooney stepping up to send goalkeeper Yann Sommer the wrong way and break a record that had stood for 45 years.
Sir Bobby Charlton had held the mark with 49 goals since May 1970, a total Rooney had actually equalled three days earlier with a penalty in a 6-0 win over San Marino, before completing the job against the Swiss.
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The 2-0 victory secured top spot in Group E for England, who had already booked their place at Euro 2016 in France.
Charlton was among the first to offer his congratulations, telling Manchester United’s official website he was “absolutely delighted” it was Rooney, as both Manchester United and England captain, who had gone on to break his record.
Rooney went on to add three more goals before retiring from international football in August 2017, finishing his England career with 53 goals from 120 caps, both records at the time.
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Harry Kane has since gone on to break both marks, overtaking Rooney as England’s all-time leading scorer in a 2023 Euro qualifier and now sitting on 85 goals in 121 caps..
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Photo: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
