Wayne Rooney equals Sir Bobby Charlton's goalscoring record as England qualify for Euro 2016 with a pedestrian 6-0 victory over Group E minnows San Marino.

Wayne Rooney has equalled Sir Bobby Charlton's England goalscoring record with his 49th international goal as England strolled to a 6-0 victory in the Euro 2016 Group E qualifier against San Marino in Serravalle.

A much-changed England side started slowly but took the lead after 12 minutes when Rooney converted from the spot after the referee harshly called up Marco Berardi for pulling the shirt of John Stones in the penalty area.

Wayne Rooney of England scores the opening goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA EURO 2016 Qualifier between San Marino and England at Stadio Olimpico on September 5, 2015 © Getty Images

The captain could have become his country's outright leading scorer by netting a second eight minutes later, but home goalkeeper Aldo Simoncini beat his effort away after he had turned his marker and James Milner was unable to convert the rebound.

Milner then saw a tame effort bobble wide as England looked for a second against the group's bottom side, before Simoncini did well to beat Rooney to a through-ball and deny Jamie Vardy the chance of a goal on his first start for the Three Lions.

England did double their advantage on the half-hour mark thanks to an own goal, San Marino's third in consecutive meetings with England, when Cristian Brolli got his head to Luke Shaw's drilled cross ahead of Rooney but could only divert the ball into his own net.

Wayne Rooney of England celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the UEFA EURO 2016 Qualifier between San Marino and England at Stadio Olimpico on September 5, 2015 © Getty Images

Simoncini made a wonderful reaction stop to deny Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's fierce effort before the break as the visitors hunted for a third, and it was three within 20 seconds of the restart when Ross Barkley headed home the Arsenal midfielder's cross for his first senior international goal.

After Rooney was denied a chance to break Charlton's record when he was replaced by Harry Kane, fellow substitute Theo Walcott added a fourth with his first touch by finishing off a slick move.

England then increased their already hefty goal difference with two strikes in two minutes, first through Kane's deft chip before Walcott netted his second after being slipped through by Barkley to add gloss to the final score.