England lead at half-time

England 1 Switzerland 0

Wayne Rooney made European Championship history as he headed England into a first half lead in their group clash with Switzerland in Coimbra.

The Everton striker became the youngest ever goalscorer in the tournament at 18 years and 237 days.

England had laboured for the opening 20 minutes before Owen set up Rooney, who had earlier been booked, for his sixth goal in 15 internationals.

Switzerland showed they were going to be no pushovers and, Rooney’s goal apart, there was little to choose between the sides.

England were poised to return to the diamond formation for their vital Euro 2004 qualifier with Switzerland in Coimbra.

Sven-Goran Eriksson reverted to the side – and system – that had been in action against Japan in Manchester 17 days ago.

John Terry had recovered from a hamstring injury suffered in that game and he replaced Ledley King despite his impressive performance against France.

Frank Lampard was expected to perform at the base of the diamond with Steven Gerrard on the left and David Beckham on the right.

England needed to win their remaining two matches to ensure qualification for the quarter-finals.

Switzerland were without midfielder Johann Vogel after his red card against Croatia and he was replaced by Fabio Celestini.

Once again skipper David Beckham and Co were greeted with a stadium which was two thirds full with England supporters in the sweltering conditions.

Beckham went and shook hands with every one of his team-mates ahead of a match England need to win to keep their destiny in their own hands.

Ashley Cole made a good early break down the left flank but his cross was too close to Swiss goalkeeper Jorg Stiel.

Switzerland won the first corner of the game but Hakan Yakin’s centre eluded everyone and then a free-kick from the same player was headed behind.

At the other end a delicate chip from Beckham almost freed Michael Owen – but Stiel just arrived in front of the Liverpool striker.

England were giving possession away too easily and when Cole overlapped to collect a pass from Scholes his control let him down, despite claiming he had been pushed by Bernt Haas.

Switzerland won a succession of corners and free-kicks in the opening 15 minutes and the England defence did not look comfortable in dealing with Yakin’s teasing balls into the box.

One whipped into the near post was met by Steven Gerrard who narrowly avoided scoring an own goal, heading his clearance onto the roof of the net.

Wayne Rooney was the first player to be yellow carded after 18 minutes as he lunged in on Stiel with his studs showing chasing a through ball from Frank Lampard.

Both Steve McClaren and David Beckham had words with Rooney and were clearly telling the youngster to calm down.

But then the Everton striker became the youngest ever player to score in the European Championships at 18 years and 237 days when he put England ahead after 22 minutes.

Referee Valentin Ivanov played advantage after a crude challenge by Fabio Celestini on Steven Gerrard and the ball found its way to Owen on the left of the area.

He had time to look up and measure his cross and an unmarked Rooney headed wide of the exposed Stiel.

The previous youngest goalscorer had been Dragan Stojkovic of Yugoslavia in the 1984 championships at 19 years and 108 days.

Rooney celebrated by kicking over a corner flag and a pitchside microphone and Gary Neville put an arm around him to calm him down once more.

Paul Scholes, without a goal for England in three years, then tried a shot on the turn but it was deflected through to Stiel.

The goal served to settle England down after a poor opening quarter to the game and Cole fizzed a low centre across the face of goal which would have needed only the thinnest of touches.

But it needed a strong challenge by Sol Campbell to shepherd the ball back to David James after Yakin had attempted to thread a pass into the path of Stephane Chapuisat.

James dealt comfortably enough with a low dipping effort from Alexander Frei from the edge of the area but Switzerland slowly started to regain their composure.

In the last minute of the half Yakin was only inches wide with a free-kick after Lampard had fouled the Swiss play-maker.