No goal for Wayne Rooney in 120th, final England appearance
LONDON — Wayne Rooney’s record-breaking England career ended with a first: relief not to score.
Whenever the striker touched the ball after coming on in the 58th minute, however far he was from goal in a 120th appearance, fans shouted “Shoot!”
The best chance fell to the 33-year-old Rooney in the second minute of stoppage time against the United States at Wembley Stadium. Primed in the penalty area, Rooney turned to shoot, only to be denied by U.S. goalkeeper Brad Guzan’s low save.
There was a wry smile from Rooney, whose England career ended with 53 goals. It didn’t matter for the result because a new generation of players had already provided the offence that secured a 3-0 win in the friendly against the country Rooney now calls home.