SOCCER AID has concluded for another year – and what a thriller it was at Stamford Bridge.
Former Chelsea star Joe Cole put the Three Lions in front early on before Eden Hazard’s stunning free-kick made it 1-1.
Alessandro Del Piero gave World XI the lead for the first time in the game after great work from Usain Bolt in the build-up.
Ellen White got the equaliser for England to make it 2-2 after superb feet from Cole in the build-up.
Minutes after the restart, Steven Bartlett’s excellent finish put the Three Lions back in front before Jermaine Defoe doubled his side’s lead for 4-2.
In the build-up to the Three Lions’ fourth goal, Bolt suffered a nasty injury that required a stretcher.
Billy Wingrove converted a penalty for World XI to make it 5-3, but Theo Walcott’s late lob secured England their first Soccer Aid win since 2018.
- Match result: England 6-3 World XI
- England XI: James, Dyer, Cahill, Broad, Quek, Grennan, Wilshere, Scott, Thompson, Cole, White
- World XI: Cech, Compston, Kemp, Evra, Scanlan, Essien, Hamraoui, Mack, Del Piero, Hazard, Bolt
- Donate: Soccer Aid For Unicef
Follow ALL the action from Soccer Aid 2024 with our live blog below…
Danny Dyer “locked up” Eden Hazard
Usain Bolt stretchered off
Olympic legend and the fastest man to ever grace the planet Usain Bolt was sadly carried off of the pitch on a stretcher last night, which allowed Jermaine Defoe to waltz through on goal and score for England.
Eden Hazard got his moment
What a moment for Eden Hazard.
The fans queued up to see him, and boy did he deliver.
His free-kick to level the scoring at 1-0 down was what he would have dreamed about on his return to Stamford Bridge.
He dazzled throughout the night with his trickery, quick feet, and those neat little flicks that Chelsea fans loved so much during his time in this very stadium.
Eden Hazard rolled back the years for the World XICredit: Getty The brilliant Belgian is a Chelsea legendCredit: Getty
Diary of a CAM
Steven Bartlett made the Central Attacking Midfield role his own tonight.
Clearly a man of many talents, he scored a brace for England.
What a player.
Steven Bartlett’s real show, Diary of a CEO is one of the most popular in the world.Credit: X – @paddypower The trophy lift
This is the moment England lifted the Soccer Aid trophy for the first time in SIX years.
What a moment.
England lift the Soccer Aid trophy at long last, what a momentCredit: Rex INCREDIBLE total amount raised
An incredible event, Soccer Aid for Unicef.
It is now time to reveal how much money we have raised all together for this fantastic charity.
Robbie Williams is getting ready to announce it now.
BOOM.
£106,022,392
Just to be clear that is just over one-hundred and six MILLION pounds raised by Soccer Aid in total.
Incredible.
Don’t forget you can still donate HERE to add to that total.
Player of the Match
What a show, Soccer Aid for Unicef take a bow.
There were so many stars on display, but one of them shone brighter than anyone else.
DANNY DYER!
Kidding, although he was incredible.Steven Bartlett was England’s hero tonight, with a brace that almost became a hat-trick at the death.
He was absolutely sublime, and looked like a hell of a player.
Honourable mentions must go to Tom Grennan and Stuart Broad, who were absolutely brilliant too.
Steven Bartlett was like prime Stephen El Shaarawy rocking the number 92 on the left wingCredit: Getty FULL TIME: England 6-3 World XI
IT HAS FINALLY COME HOME!
The referee blows the final whistle, and England have BEATEN the World XI for the first time in six years.
England 6-3 World XI
86. So close to a hat-trick for Steven Bartlett!
The Diary of a CEO host looked destined to make it three at Stamford Bridge but is denied brilliantly by Tony Bellew in goal, who has been quietly decent since replacing Petr Cech.
GOALLLLLL! England 6-3 World XI
IT’S THEO WALCOTT WITH A GORGEOUS GOAL!
He told SunSport ‘It’s coming home’ and it certainly looks that way now!
The ball is played over the top to Walcott, who confidently lifts it over the top of the onrushing Tony Bellew and into the back of the net!Theo has still got it!
England 5-3 World XI
80. Karen Carney is driving through bodies with the ball here, but is bought to a stop by Eden Hazard.
England 5-3 World XI
78. Lovely feet from Eden Hazard on the left hand side, who plays the ball into the oh-so-technical Billy Wingrove.
He lays the ball of into the feet of the not-so-technical Jason Manford.
Who blasts the ball out of play.
Only at Soccer Aid, class.
GOALLLLL! England 5-3 World XI
76. Billy Wingrove dispatches the penalty with some absolute swaz.
He runs to the corner after doing Heung Min-Son’s celebration and SIUUUUUU rings around the Stamford Bridge crowd.
PENALTY! England 5-2 World XI
75. There is a penalty here for the World XI, as Patrice Evra is bought down inside the box.
GOALLLLL! England 5-2 World XI
IT’S FIVE! IT’S STEVEN BARTLETT AGAIN!
Tony Bellew is played into trouble by Jason Manford, and Steven Bartlett’s grind mentality pays off as he relentlessly charges him down and the goalkeepers attempted clearance goes straight in!
England 4-2 World XI
70. So close for Theo Walcott, who is denied a free-kick goal by a goal line Michael Essien clearance.
England get a corner, which is whipped in by Ashley Cole, but to no avail.
England 4-2 World XI
68. Back underway at Stamford Bridge after that brief stoppage, and there is instantly a chance for Steven Bartlett, who takes a great touch and is bearing down on goal.
He looks destined to secure a fifth for England, but Tony Bellew makes a great safe with his feet.
Huge Concern for Usain Bolt: England 4-2 World XI
Horrible scenes here at Stamford Bridge as Usain Bolt is getting a lot of attention from the medical team after hitting the deck in the build up to that Defoe goal.
He is going to be carried off on a stretcher here.
We sincerely hope he is okay, as he is given a standing ovation by the fans, who he claps off the field.
What a man, legend.
GOALLLLLL! England 4-2 World XI
JERMAINE DEFOE ADDS A FOURTH!
Huge concern for Usain Bolt, who pulls up with what looks like a serious hamstring injury.
He goes down, which allows Defoe to stroll through before beating his man and slotting past Tony Bellew with ease.
Composure personified, Jermaine Defoe.
England 3-2 World XI
63. Tion Wayne (Mmm mmm) is coming on to replace Diamond for the World XI.
England 3-2 World XI
62. Ashley Cole picks up the ball in the middle of the park, but is crunched by Patrice Evra.
The ball finds it’s way out to Jermaine Defoe, who sets up Tom Grennan, but his curling effort is into the hands of Tony Bellew.
England 3-2 World XI
60. Almost, almost vintage Eden Hazard there.
He cuts in on his right foot and strikes a shot towards the far post, but it goes narrowly wide.
England 3-2 World XI
57. Jermaine Defoe strikes the free-kick well but Tony Bellew stands firm and catches him out!
Billy Wingrove comes on in replacement of Roman Kemp.
Hope you’re ready for some swaz tekkers from the Wing-meister.
England 3-2 World XI
55. Free kick on the edge of the box for England as Michael Essien brings down Steven Bartlett in a promising position.
This is a similar spot to where Eden Hazard curled an effort home earlier on this evening.
GOALLLLL! England 3-2 World XI
STEVEN BARTLETT GIVES ENGLAND THE LEAD!
Jermaine Defoe does absolutely brilliantly to pass the ball through to Steven Bartlett who passes it past Tony Bellew in net!
Can’t wait to tune into Diary of a Goalscorer after that.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
