Raheem Sterling was delighted to finally get off the mark for England and to do it in a stadium he saw being built.
The Liverpool forward grew up in the shadow of Wembley Stadium and on Friday night netted his first senior goal in his 14th appearance for the Three Lions.
And it helped his team seal a 4-0 European Qualifying win over Lithuania and extend their 100 per cent start to the season.
England 4-0 Lithuania
European Championship Qualifier
Wembley Stadium connected by EE
Friday 27 March 2015
“It was a great team performance and I’m just happy the team came out of the blocks well and got the first goal and everything else followed,” Sterling told FATV.
“It’s been a long time coming to get my first goal, but I’m really happy and hopefully I can continue this with England.
“I watched this stadium get built, so it was obviously pleasing to score at Wembley, it will live with me for a long time.”
After a four-month spell without a game during the winter break, Sterling was pleased to see the Three Lions pick up from where they left off in November.
Sterling and Welbeck talk to FATV
England have now won seven games on the bounce – their best ever start to a campaign – and remain six points clear at the top of Group E.
Roy Hodgson’s men are now at the midway point on the road to France, and the 20-year-old says the main aim to finish the job with as many wins as possible.
He said: “It’s a credit to the lads, they’ve worked really hard in training this week, so it’s good to see it come out on the pitch.
“We’ve started off really well this campaign, so it’s just pleasing to see the boys carry the form on to this one.
Raheem Sterling nets England's third goal
“It’s good to see all the forwards performing well and give the manager something to think about ahead of the next game on Tuesday.
“We’re all just focusing on what the manager is saying and buying into it. It’s good to see all the players clicking and combining.
“Hopefully this can continue into the future and get as many wins as we can in this campaign.”
Sterling also had a word for his fellow goalscorer Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck, who put England 2-0 up at the break.
“Danny Welbeck’s record for England is incredible and it’s pleasing to see him get on the scoresheet again”
Raheem Sterling
Rooney’s goal after just three minutes took him to within two goals of Sir Bobby Charlton’s 40-year record, while Welbeck moved out on top of the European Qualifiers scoring chart.
“You know what sort of player Wayne is – he creates and scores goals and he done that tonight,” said Sterling.
“He was involved in most of the attacks, he’s always there scoring goals for England.
“Danny’s record for England is incredible and it’s pleasing to see him get on the scoresheet again and doing well for England. As long as these players can keep performing it’s great for England.”
