England crush San Marino 6-0

England became the first team to qualify for the 2016 European Championship by crushing San Marino 6-0

England achieved its target in Serravalle. Wayne Rooney fell just short of his. With a routine win against a San Marino team that included a barman, a lawyer, a pharmacist, and a student, England guaranteed its place in Euro 2016 with three games to spare and remained on course to finish group play with maximum points.

Rooney started the match needing two goals to surpass Charlton’s record. He got one from the penalty spot in the 13th minute but was taken off just before the hour mark, denying him a chance of a second goal against a tiring home defense late on. He’ll get a first chance to reach 50 goals against Switzerland on Tuesday.

“It would have been great if it had happened tonight,” Rooney said, “but it will be (great) on Tuesday, if selected, with the tradition at Wembley.” An own goal, as well as second-half goals by Ross Barkley, Theo Walcott (two), and Harry Kane completed England’s win. Switzerland roared back to beat Slovenia 3-2 and remain second at six points behind England.