5 of the best debut goals in football history

#4: Wayne Rooney – Champions League debut for Manchester United, 2004

To score a goal on your debut is one thing; to score a hat-trick is another entirely. In the case of Wayne Rooney – who made his debut for Manchester United against Turkish side Fenerbahce in September 2004 following a £25m move from Everton at the age of just 18, not only did he score a hat-trick, but his third goal was one of incredible quality – a free-kick that made United’s legions of fans instantly forget about their former dead-ball expert David Beckham.

Rooney had already scored two goals – the first a deft chip over the onrushing goalkeeper with his left foot, the second a low shot from the edge of the box with his right – and United were already 3-1 up when they were awarded a free-kick just outside the box. Showing no signs of fear under pressure, Rooney curled the ball with the side of his right foot up and over the wall and past renowned keeper Rustu Recber into the net to secure his hat-trick.

United went on to win the game 6-2, and manager Sir Alex Ferguson instantly hailed the display as the best debut he’d ever seen. Rooney became the youngest player to ever score a Champions League hat-trick – a phenomenal feat considering it was his debut for United and also his debut in the competition – but it’s that third free-kick goal that stands out the most over a decade on.