Rooney: From Euro 2004 to World Cup 2006
In the early 2000s, Wayne Rooney emerged as one of the most promising young footballers in England. His breakthrough came at the 2004 European Championship, where he helped his country reach the quarter-finals. Two years later, Rooney took part in his first World Cup in Germany. In this article, we will take a closer look at Rooney's performances in these two tournaments.
EURO 2004: The Rise of a Star
In 2004, Rooney was only 18 years old, but he was already making headlines for his performances at club level with Everton. England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson decided to include him in the squad for the European Championship in Portugal.
Rooney's impact was immediate. In the group stage, he scored twice against Switzerland and once against Croatia, as England finished top of their group. In the quarter-finals, Rooney faced his toughest test yet, as he came up against hosts Portugal. Unfortunately, his tournament came to an abrupt end when he suffered a broken metatarsal bone in his foot. Despite Rooney's absence, England held on for a 2-2 draw after extra time, before losing on penalties.
In just four games, Rooney had shown the world what he was capable of. His fearlessness, skill, and goal-scoring ability had made him a star in the making. With his injury, however, England's hopes of winning the tournament were dashed.
WORLD CUP 2006: Mixed Fortunes
Two years later, Rooney was back in the England squad for the World Cup in Germany. By now, he had become a regular starter for Manchester United and was widely regarded as one of the best strikers in the world.
England's campaign got off to a slow start, as they drew their opening game with Paraguay. Rooney missed that match due to injury, but returned for the second game against Trinidad and Tobago. Once again, he showed his class by scoring England's first goal of the tournament. However, the team could only manage a 2-0 win.
In the final group game against Sweden, Rooney played 57 minutes before being substituted. He had been booked earlier in the tournament, and it was clear that coach Sven-Goran Eriksson did not want to risk losing him for the knockout stages. England won the game 2-2.
In the round of 16, England faced Ecuador. Rooney played the full 90 minutes, but struggled to make an impact in a poor game. The match was settled by a late goal from substitute David Beckham, and England progressed to the quarter-finals.
Rooney's World Cup ended in disappointment in the next game. In the quarter-final against Portugal, he was sent off for stamping on an opponent. England went on to lose the match on penalties, and Rooney was widely criticized for his behaviour. It was a sour end to an otherwise impressive tournament.
Conclusion
Wayne Rooney's performances at Euro 2004 and World Cup 2006 showed the world what a talented player he was. At Euro 2004, he lit up the tournament with his goals and skill, but his injury ended England's hopes of winning. At World Cup 2006, he scored one goal, but his red card in the quarter-final overshadowed his contribution to the team.
Rooney would go on to play in two more World Cups, but never replicated the form he showed in his early years. Nevertheless, he remains one of England's greatest ever players, and a legend in the eyes of fans all over the world.
标签： 鲁尼04年