England 3-0 USA: Gareth Southgate’s vibrant young side excel in Wayne Rooney’s final Three Lions game at Wembley
While much of the attention was on the former Manchester United forward, the future looks bright for England
Wayne Rooney may well have missed out on a final goal for England, but Gareth Southgate will be delighted after watching the Three Lions beat the USA 3-0 at Wembley.
Goals in the first half from Jesse Lingard and Trent Alexander-Arnold effectively killed off the game as a contest as the visitors head's dropped.
Callum Wilson finally got his debut goal before being withdrawn after several missed opportunities in the game.
The latter wrapped up victory on a night that also saw Lewis Dunk and Alex McCarthy make their international bows, with 18-year-old Jadon Sancho handed his first start as the Three Lions looked to the future while also paying tribute to one of their greatest players.
Rooney received a standing ovation when brought on in the 58th minute of a match that Southgate's men were already in control of thanks to a fine Lingard effort and Alexander-Arnold's first goal for his country.
There was to be no fairytale farewell goal for the 33-year-old, but he was first to celebrate with Wilson after the debutante scored the third on a night that saw the DC United forward impress against the country he now calls home.
Most Popular Football Stories
And, despite his best efforts, Rooney was unable to beat former Aston Villa shot-stopper Brad Guzan to get the dream send-off from international football.
His appearance in this friendly may have split opinion in the build-up, but there can be no doubt that the support for the Wayne Rooney Foundation and chance for fans to say thanks was only positive.
All the attention will quickly turn to Croatia on Sunday, but this night will belong to England's record goalscorer.