England hammers San Marino to secure Euro 2016 berth

England booked an automatic qualification spot for Euro 2016 with a comprehensive 6-0 victory over 192nd ranked San Marino on Saturday in Seravalle.

As expected, Wayne Rooney matched Sir Bobby Charlton's national team goal-scoring standard, netting for the 49th time in 106 matches. The memorable moment for Rooney was marred by a gifted penalty in the 12th minute on a tattered pitch against third-rate competition.

What appeared to be a handball in the box against centre-back John Stones was adjudged to be a foul on San Marino's Marco Berardi, who either tugged the young Everton defender's kit or simply sneezed in the wrong direction.

Regardless, Rooney stepped up to the spot and placed a shot struck with the inside of his right foot beyond the grasp of San Marino shot-stopper/accountant-by-trade Aldo Simoncini.

England become the first team to qualify for the 2016 tournament in France, with a maximum 21 points from seven matches, sitting comfortably above a Swiss side they face Tuesday at Wembley Stadium.

Perhaps this is the reason Rooney was taken off in the 58th minute for Tottenham striker Harry Kane, as gaffer Roy Hodgson had visions of the Merseyside-born Manchester United star eclipsing Charlton's hallowed record at home in front of English supporters at Wembley

Despite never being in doubt, the Three Lions secured the result 17 minutes later when Cristian Brolli headed an own goal past teammate Simoncini, putting England up 2-0 and equaling another record of sorts.

The dominant side for the entirety of the 90 minutes, goals from Ross Barkley - his first for England - a sublime chip from Kane, and two from Arsenal's Theo Walcott cemented a result that was never in question, as San Marino were simply outclassed by a squad whose form in qualifying has been brilliant despite having few expectations.