1-0 win over Norway at Wembley.
The Manchester United captain marked his first
fixture as England captain with a powerful 68th-
minute spot-kick, awarded by Portuguese referee
Jorge Sousa when Raheem Sterling was brought
down in the box by Omar Elabdellaoui.
However, Rooney's penalty was one of only two
shots on target from Roy Hodgson's men in the
course of 90 minutes, and the crowd of 40,181 - the
lowest for a full international since Wembley
reopened in 2007 - received little in the way of
entertainment value, or encouragement after the
short World Cup campaign in Brazil.
The visitors enjoyed a threatening spell at the start
of the second half, with Joe Hart having to make an
excellent diving save to his left to thwart a Josh
King header from a corner.
Liverpool winger Sterling was by far the pick of the
players on show, linking up dangerously on
occasions with his club colleague Daniel Sturridge.
England next move on to Basel for their European
Qualifiers Group E opener against Switzerland on
Monday night.
Hodgson may have to shuffle his pack for that game
as Gary Cahill came off late on with an ankle
problem.
In the opening stages, Per Ciljan Skjelbred brought
Jack Wilshere down after he played a clever one-two
with Jordan Henderson in the fourth minute.
The supporters were hush with anticipation as
Leighton Baines stepped up to strike the ball, but
the Everton left-back's curling effort flew five yards
over.
The disappointing effort set the tone for what ended
up being a dour first half. Norway broke up
England's tentative attacks by any means. Skjelbred
knocked Wilshere off the ball as he approached the
box and the Norway captain stopped Baines in his
tracks with a flying elbow.
Sturridge and Sterling were the only lights to
brighten up the first period. Sterling backheeled the
ball into Sturridge's path, but the striker's shot was
blocked inside the box.
Sturridge then cushioned a 40-yard diagonal pass
from Sterling, but goalkeeper Orjan Nyland
pressured the striker into lobbing over the bar.
Unlike England, Norway managed to register a shot
on target, although it was a tame one from Tarik
Elyounoussi, who volleyed straight at Hart.
England thought they should have had a penalty
towards the end of the first half when Havard
Nordtveit put in a late tackle on Wilshere, but the
referee waved play on.
Then, in the final minute of the half, Hart carelessly
spilled Skjelbred's cross, almost dropping the ball
into his own net.
A few dissenting voices were heard at the half-time
whistle. If the fans inside the stadium were hoping
for an instant improvement after the restart, then
they were to be disappointed.
The Three Lions were just as slow in their build-up
play and they were very flat at the back.
Hart saved a low drive from Mats Daehli and the
England goalkeeper managed to deny King with an
acrobatic dive.
Some sloppy defending from Cahill allowed King to
race into the box, but he could not convert.
England were thrown their chance to forge ahead in
the 68th minute when Elabdellaoui slid in late on
Sterling and the referee pointed to the spot.
Rooney stepped up and launched the ball past
Nyland with his right foot.
The goal released the pressure and England finally
started to play with attacking intent.
Danny Welbeck, who came on for Rooney, drew a
good save from Nyland.
Fabian Delph and Calum Chambers came on for
their debuts and Cahill went off to receive ice to his
foot.
The game petered out and those that had remained
in the stadium for the final whistle greeted the end
with barely audible cheers.
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