Rooney, emerging as one of the outstanding players at Euro 2004 at just 18 years and seven months, scored twice to steer England to a 3-0 victory over 10-man Switzerland in Group B.

A first-half header and a shot in the 75th minute that cannoned in off keeper Joerg Stiel blew away Dragan Stojkovic's record of scoring for Yugoslavia in 1984 at 19 years, three months.

"I just go out and play the game and I was lucky enough to score two goals," said Rooney, as bashful off the pitch as he is aggressive on it.

"The first one Michael (Owen) put it right on my head and for the second I just hit it hard enough and luckily enough it went in.

"Like any young lad I get nervous before a game... but once you get into a game, you get a bit more relaxed and you go out there and want to do your best."

The championship accolade is only the latest to be given to a youngster who learned the game at Everton's youth academy and playing on the tough city streets of Liverpool.

At 17, he became the youngest player to pull on an England jersey in a 3-1 friendly defeat by Australia in February, 2003.

GETTING EXPERIENCE

He went one better last September by becoming his country's youngest scorer in a 2-1 qualifying win in Macedonia and is not fazed by the responsibility of finding the net for England.

"I think I've had that responsibility since I've come into the England squad," he said. "I'm just going to try and enjoy myself and get a good experience from this tournament."

Everything is happening quickly to a youngster who caused a sensation in English football when he ended Arsenal's 30-match unbeaten run in October 2002 with a superb strike as a 16-year-old, his first premier league goal.

Born into a boxing family, his one weakness remains a volatile temperament.

A rash challenge on a grounded Stiel earned him a yellow card and a barge that conceded a free kick just minutes before his goal suggested his afternoon could have ended with an early shower.

For Rooney, though, that naked aggression is part of his game and no amount of advice is going to change him.

"A few of the lads told me to calm down a bit but all the same if I'm going in for a tackle I'm going to give 110 percent," he said.

"I like to play with a bit of temper, I think it makes me play better. I'm not going to stop because it's a major tournament like this."

Carefully nurtured by Everton manager David Moyes, who has resisted all temptations to cash in and sell him to one of the biggest clubs in the country, Rooney has the football world at his feet.

England owe their chances of progressing in this tournament to the precocious striker, and the fans at Coimbra's Municipal stadium needed no encouragement to chant his name.