But this was Rooney's night.

England proclaimed the night "return of the king," celebrating a player who thrilled so often in the England jersey but couldn't inspire the country to a first title since 1966.

"He has been brilliant, the time he given to all of the players," England coach Gareth Southgate said. "He had some lovely touches, a couple of really exquisite throughballs and we were a yard to the left of Brad Guzan from a fairytale ending." The start to the night was memorable enough.

In front of 68,155 fans, Rooney entered the field before the match accompanied with his four boys, carrying Cass, who was born in February.

"It's great memories for when they are older looking back," Rooney said, before going into the dressing room to deliver a final speech as an England player.

Southgate said he didn't want to rain on Rooney's parade by addressing concerns about the performance to the players.

They'll have to listen to the news conference.

"At times US got through us too easily," Southgate said. "We were caught in transition and we were wide open. If we do that on Sunday we will lose." The stakes will be more meaningful Sunday in the next game at Wembley.