The Three Lions captain scored the only goal of the game as his free-kick secured a 1-0 win in Tallinn, ensuring Roy Hodgson’s side maintained their 100 per cent start to their European qualifying campaign.
“We said before the game it would be tough, and they would put men behind the ball, and tonight it was,” the goalscorer told ITV.
Estonia 0-1 England
European Qualifier
Group E
A. Le Coq Arena
Sunday 12 October 2014
“Thankfully we got the goal, and we managed to get the points.”
The Manchester United striker curled home a free-kick from the edge of the box on 73 minutes, his 43rd goal for his country in 99 appearances.
“It was close, so I was focusing on trying to get it up and over the wall as quick as I could, and thankfully it’s gone in.
“I’ve shown over the years that I am always capable of scoring goals, and thankfully I’ve done that again tonight.”
The win was England’s fourth on the spin since the World Cup, and as the leader out on the pitch, Rooney is pleased to see his young team-mates continuing to progress on the international stage.
“We are playing well,” he added. “The pleasing thing tonight is, with a young team who knew it was going to be tough, we hung in there and got the goal.
"We saw the game out well, and we are always learning as a team.
“It’s nights like tonight that will help us.”
