Wayne Rooney's Rio goal was as good as John Barnes's, says Frank Lampard

 
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JUNE 02: Wayne Rooney of England scores the second goal during the International Friendly match between Brazil and England at Maracana on June 2, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Friedemann Vogel/Getty Images
Sam Wallace3 June 2013

Frank Lampard said last night that the quality of Wayne Rooney’s goal against Brazil in England’s 2-2 draw at the Maracana bore comparison with John Barnes’ famous solo goal at the same stadium 29 years ago.

Rooney scored his team’s second goal of the night which gave England a 2-1 lead they held until six minutes from time when Paulinho equalised for Brazil. Earlier the home side had taken the lead through striker Fred before substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scored a first for England.

The goal from Rooney came after James Milner broke down the left wing and picked out Rooney who cut left towards the area and hit a shot that appeared to clip Fernando on the way in. Lampard said: “He [Rooney] is up there with Barnes now because of the quality of the goal and Ox deserves credit as well for his goal.

“The shine has been taken off that it wasn’t a winning goal but it doesn’t matter too much. We wanted to win but there is a lot of credit to be taken from the performance. The big games [World Cup qualifiers] are the ones that are coming up that we need points from.

“I think we are in good shape. I feel confident. I think it’s up to us where we go from here. We need to keep improving. We keep talking about the youngsters, they are pivotal in us moving forward with the young blood coming in, it brings energy in. I think we are moving forward but it's up to us now to go and show it. We keep talking about it but we need to go and show it next year.”

Lampard spoke to Brazil manager Luiz Felipe Scolari after the game, who spent an unhappy seven months at Chelsea, five years ago. Lampard said: “Phil Scolari's time at Chelsea was short and I think things were tough for him there. He was an absolute gentleman. He helped me a lot in his time there. I have loads of respect for him. A few of us were very close to him so it was a shame that it didn't work out.”

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