England deliver fond farewell for Wayne Rooney as USA brushed aside at Wembley

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Jack Rosser @JackRosser_15 November 2018

After all the debate and negativity, there was only applause and admiration at Wembley.

While the build-up to Wayne Rooney’s England swansong has needlessly split opinion, it was never evident here.

Admittedly each minute before his entrance early the second half felt like the 68,155 - an attendance likely close to 40,000 with the headline act - assembled at the national stadium were just waiting for Rooney, when he arrived it all fell into place.

England were well ahead, so there would be no dream winner for Rooney, but he did not take this appearance lightly, tracking back and barking orders at those around him.

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The crowd’s focus was on their No10, but it wasn’t all about him. There were debuts for Callum Wilson, Lewis Dunk and Alex McCarthy while one of the brightest prospects of England's future, Jadon Sancho, was handed his first start. They will certainly not consider this a cap cheapened.

It didn’t all go to plan. The mosaic laid out in the East Stand which read ‘Rooney 10’ did not get a show, with the end behind the goal only half full as the Manchester United legend, accompanied by his children, walked out with a guard of honour before kick-off.

It was perhaps fitting that, like Rooney’s England career, there remained a couple of 'what ifs' come full time. But, the loudest cheers did not come for either Jesse Lingard’s wonderful opener nor Trent Alexander-Arnold’s driven finish seconds later, but for the all-time goalscorer’s 120th, and final, appearance.

REUTERS

The FA must now be responsible with regard to those who follow Rooney in receiving such a gesture, and it will likely be some time, at least perhaps until the end of Harry Kane’s international career, that there is a player worthy.

But on a night which would have otherwise been an insignificant mark on the footballing calendar, there was an excitement about Wembley not often seen during an England friendly, leaving many of the young fans here with an ‘I was there’ moment.

With Wilson having scored a debut goal, the hero of all contemporary English strikers replaced him in leading the line for the final minutes.

REUTERS

He would have had one final moment to remember had Brad Guzan not managed to get a hand to his effort from close range. Rooney laughed, and continued push for a 54th England goal.

However, 15 years, 120 caps and 53 goals after coming on at half-time at Upton Park against Australia in 2003, it ended and Rooney, an inspiration to many, not least Marcus Rashford who finished up alongside him, brought his England journey to an end at Wembley.

He took in the applause from all four corners of the stadium he called home for a record-breaking international career.

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