Wayne Rooney's TOP 10 Biggest Moments for England Thus Far

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On Tuesday night, England face Ukraine in their last group-stage game in this summer’s European Championships.

One thing has dominated the headlines: The return of Wayne Rooney following his two-match suspension.

England coach Roy Hodgson has already confirmed that Rooney will return instantly to the starting lineup, and possibly alongside Manchester United colleague Danny Welbeck, who has made quite an impression in the tournament so far.

A win would automatically seal England’s progress into the quarterfinals.

Let’s set the stage for Wayne Rooney by looking back at his biggest moments in an England national team shirt so far—and they’re not all pretty.

2003: Youngest-Ever International

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Yes, more than nine years ago, way back in February 2003, Wayne Rooney was already around the block.

Then a precocious youngster at Everton, Rooney was awarded his first-ever England cap against Australia aged 17, which made him England’s youngest-ever international at the time.

2003: Youngest-Ever Scorer

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In September of that same year, Rooney also became England’s youngest-ever scorer, as he notched a goal against Macedonia in the Euro 2004 qualifying rounds.

This helped mark a very successful first year in England colors.

2004: Euro 2004 Impact

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Rooney would go on to make a splash at his first international tournament.

He announced himself on the world stage by scoring two goals against Switzerland, becoming the youngest-ever scorer in the European Championships in the process (though this record would be broken in just days by Switzerland’s Johan Volanthen).

He finished the tournament with four goals, with his other two coming against Croatia.

2006: Portugal Controversy

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His next international tournament didn’t end so well, though.

England bowed out at the quarterfinals of the 2006 World Cup in Germany, as they lost to Portugal in penalties in a dramatic game.

Unfortunately, that game will be remembered for Rooney’s stamp on Ricardo Carvalho, and for Cristiano Ronaldo’s wink toward the bench after Rooney was sent off by referee Horacio Elizondo.

2009: Cameo as Captain

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In November 2009, Wayne Rooney wore the captain’s armband for the first time in his England career.

Following regular skipper John Terry’s ankle injury, Rooney led his countrymen out against Brazil.

The game finished 1-0 to the South Americans, but it remains to this date Rooney’s only outing as captain.

2011: Montenegro Madness

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And here we are: Why Wayne Rooney is only making his first appearance this summer in England’s third game.

If it weren’t for UEFA’s revision of an initial three-match ban, Rooney might not even be in Ukraine with the squad right now.

It all came as a result of a completely needless and idiotic challenge on Montenegro’s Miodrag Dzudovic in the last Euro 2012 qualifier in November 2011.

Rooney will take to the pitch against Ukraine with a point to prove. Let’s hope he makes it a positive impact rather than go out in yet another sea of red mist.

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