Wayne Rooney becomes England's all-time top goal scorer beating Sir Bobby Charlton's record

He scored his 50th England goal with a penalty against Switzerland

Mark Critchley
Tuesday 08 September 2015 17:05 EDT
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Wayne Rooney celebrates breaking Sir Bobby Charlton's record
Wayne Rooney celebrates breaking Sir Bobby Charlton's record (Getty Images)

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Wayne Rooney became England's all-time record goalscorer, scoring his 50th international goal against Switzerland on Tuesday.

The national team captain beat Sir Bobby Charlton's long-standing record of 49 goals, notching with a penalty in the 84th minute.

It had looked as if the Manchester United striker would have to wait to overcome one of his club and country's all-time greats in the scoring rankings but, when Granit Xhaka brought down Raheem Sterling in the area six minutes from time, there was no doubt over who would take the spot-kick.

Rooney had been waiting for his 50th England goal since scoring another penalty in the 6-0 win against San Marino last Saturday.

The 29-year-old, who has suffered something of a goal drought of late for his clubs side, slotted the penalty into the top left-hand corner, despite Yann Sommer's best attempts to keep it out.

Tottenham striker Harry Kane had opened the scoring earlier in the game, after repalcing Jonjo Shelvey just before the hour mark.

Kane broke the deadlock in what had been a dull affair with a low, driven finish into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.

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