Wayne Rooney became England’s all-time record goal scorer on Tuesday, striking his 50th from the penalty spot to surpass Sir Bobby Charlton’s long-standing record.
The Manchester United striker joins an exclusive band of world footballers that have notched half a century of goals for their country, a list that includes Ferenc Puskás, Thierry Henry, Cristiano Ronaldo, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Gabriel Batistuta, Robbie Keane, Gerd Müller and Pele.
Wayne Rooney scores his side's second goal during the Euro 2016 Group E qualifying soccer match between England and Switzerland at Wembley stadium in London, England, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2015
Rooney took twelve years to become the nation’s leading marksman. He scored his first England goal in 2003, equalising in a 2–1 away victory over Macedonia in a UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying match.
Rooney now sits atop a raft of England luminaries, including Gary Lineker, Jimmy Greaves, Michael Owen, Tom Finney, Nat Lofthouse and Alan Shearer.
England won the UEFA Euro 2016 qualifier at Wembley 2-0, beating a strong Switzerland side with an opening goal from Tottenham striker Harry Kane. England had already qualified for the tournament following a 6-0 win against San Marino over the weekend.