Lingard in action for England.

Lingard finds the top bin before exiting for Rooney

Thursday 15 November 2018 21:56

The match may have been named after Wayne Rooney, in tribute to the striker’s illustrious England career, but it was the Manchester United legend’s former Reds team-mate Jesse Lingard who stole the show at Wembley thanks to a sensational goal against USA.

The livewire forward received the ball from Tottenham Hotspur’s Dele Alli on the left side of the penalty area and curled an audacious finish into the top corner of the American net, stirring memories of his similar strike against Panama during last summer’s FIFA World Cup in Russia. 

Our Academy graduate recently returned from injury and was duly replaced on 58 minutes by the man of the evening, Rooney, who strode onto the pitch to a huge ovation from the England fans, earning his 120th cap in the process.

The Three Lions’ all-time leading scorer had been granted this final outing for the national team as something of a farewell, with a section of the funds raised going to the Wayne Rooney Foundation. 
Rooney's family were undoubtedly proud to see him back in the England kit for those final 32 minutes.

Rooney was afforded a guard of honour ahead of kick-off, before posing for pictures with his wife and four children. His family were undoubtedly proud to see him back in the England kit for those final 32 minutes, wearing the famous no.10 shirt with the captain’s armband around his bicep.

The score was 2-0 to England by the time of Wayne’s introduction, thanks to a first-half goal from Trent Alexander-Arnold. That lead was soon extended to three when Bournemouth forward Callum Wilson hit home, before exiting the action for the introduction of our very own Marcus Rashford. 

Rooney had two opportunities to score in added time, but he unfortunately could not add to his record tally of 53 England goals.

Luke Shaw was not named in the squad by England manager Gareth Southgate and it is presumed the left-back is being saved for the UEFA Nations League match against Croatia on Sunday. 

Lingard scored an excellent goal before leaving the action for Rooney's anticipated introduction.

ELSEWHERE IN EUROPE

David De Gea played a full match for Spain in their UEFA Nations League match away to Croatia, which resulted in a lively 3-2 loss for our award-winning keeper.

The score was goalless by the half-time break, but the tie burst into life on 54 minutes when Andrej Kramaric broke the deadlock for the hosts.

Dani Ceballos equalised for the Spanish two minutes later and Tin Jedvag then headed past De Gea from close range via a Luca Modric cross to hand the Croatians another advantage, only for Sergio Ramos to level once again - this time from the penalty spot. Then, in the 93rd minute, Jedvaj scored a dramatic late winner.