Wayne Rooney equalled Bobby Charlton’s England scoring record of 49 goals as Roy Hodgson’s side crushed San Marino 6-0 in Serravalle on Saturday to qualify for Euro 2016.
Rooney’s quest for 50 in context: only 43 footballers have ever scored 50+ international goals in their careers, all nations combined, ever.
Rooney scored from a contentious penalty in the 13th minute, leaving him with an identical international record to Charlton of 106 caps and 49 goals, but he will have to wait to claim the record outright after being substituted by Hodgson in the 58th minute at the Stadio Olimpico.
San Marino goalkeeper Aldo Simoncini parried from Rooney and James Milner shot wide before England doubled their lead when Brolli headed Luke Shaw’s cross into his own net.
Seconds into the second period Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain tore down the right flank and crossed for Barkley to head in his first England goal.
Fabian Delph and Walcott also entered the fray and they combined for the fourth goal in the 68th minute, Delph drilling in a cross from the left for the Arsenal forward to tap in from close range.
Quick-fire goals from Kane and Walcott swelled the scoreline further as San Marino tired, the former coolly chipping Aldo Simoncini from Shelvey’s pass, the latter rolling a shot into the bottom-left corner.
England have now scored 37 goals in their six games against San Marino, currently ranked 193rd in the world, and will tackle Switzerland at Wembley on Tuesday seeking an eighth straight win in Group E, their place at next year’s tournament in France secure.
Artem Dzyuba gives Russia a 1-0 lead against Sweden in Group G. Sweden are unbeaten in 9 UEFA Euro qualys (W6 D3). pic.twitter.com/E5tUku3WbK
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) September 5, 2015
Russia coach Leonid Slutsky got off to a winning start with a 1-0 Euro 2016 qualifying victory over Sweden which keeps their hopes of the final alive with three games left.
Slutsky took over last month following the sacking of Italian Fabio Capello and a first-half Artem Dzyuba goal set Russia on their way to a hard-fought win in Moscow.
Russia stay third in Group G but closed the gap on second-placed Sweden to one point, with leaders Austria playing Moldova later on Saturday.
Elsewhere, Luxembourg registered their first win since 2013 – a run of 14 games – as they sunk Macedonia 1-0 in Euro 2016 qualifying group C.
¡España gana! Spain beats Slovakia, 2-0, in Euro 2016 qualifications with goals from Jordi Alba and Andrés Iniesta. pic.twitter.com/FJHdXO6ZvT
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 5, 2015
Defending champions Spain took a huge step towards securing their place at Euro 2016 next year with a 2-0 win over Slovakia to move top of qualifying Group C.
Jordi Alba settled the hosts’ nerves in Oviedo after just five minutes when he headed in David Silva’s cross before Andres Iniesta added a second from the penalty spot on the half hour mark.
Spain and Slovakia are now tied on 18 points at the top of the table, three points ahead of Ukraine, with three games to go.
Slovakia were the only side in international football to have won their previous nine matches and nearly got off to a dream start as Robert Mak pounced on an error from Sergio Ramos but pulled his shot wide of the far post.
However, within a minute Spain were in front as Silva’s inviting cross left Slovakia ‘keeper Matus Kozacik in no man’s land and Alba headed home.
