Soccer Aid LIVE: Result and latest reaction as Kem Cetinay helps World XI past England at Etihad Stadium
The Love Island star and Lee Mack scored as Harry Redknapp’s side overcame Sven-Goran Eriksson’s Three Lions
The Rest of the World XI beat England 3-0 in the Soccer Aid for UNICEF 2021 charity match at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium.
England were managed by former national team boss Sven-Goran Eriksson and captained by Wayne Rooney, with Harry Redknapp helping take charge of the World XI.
Both teams - which included a mix of celebrities and other famous names such as Olympic champion sprinter Usain Bolt - took the knee before kick-off, applauded by the Etihad Stadium crowd.
In the 10th minute, World XI captain Bolt was pulled back by former Manchester United defender Gary Neville on the edge of the box, conceding a free-kick which Dutchman Clarence Seedorf rattled against the crossbar.
England threatened with long-range efforts from freestyler Harriet Pavlou before reality television star Mark Wright, who had a spell with Crawley last season, fired over.
Bolt shot into the side netting after being played in one-on-one against England goalkeeper David James, while at the other end singer-songwriter James Bay was also off target after being picked out by Shaun Wright-Phillips.
The second half saw celebrities go in goal, with presenter Ore Oduba sent on for the World XI while Joel Dommett, host of The Masked Singer TV show, stood in for England, with Paddy McGuinness out injured and Roman Kemp unavailable after a positive Covid test
Presenter Stephen Mulhern was then introduced as England’s ‘Masked Winger’, but - still in his bulky costume - was soon shown a yellow card for clattering into Darren Fletcher.
Dutchman Nigel de Jong saw his cross drop through the box and onto the far post before World XI took the lead in the 51st minute as Love Island’s Kem Cetinay sent a slow effort goalwards from 20 yards - which rolled past Dommett’s miss kick and on into the net.
Mulhern was physically carried off as Sir Mo Farah came on, with 2020 Olympic champion Max Whitlock also another substitute. Farah, though, appeared to soon pull a muscle and limped off.
Oduba saved from Rooney and fellow former England international Joe Cole before Cetinay added a second goal with a low finish into the corner after being played onside by Bay with 15 minutes left.
Jamie Carragher sent Rooney clear late on, but England’s all-time record scorer blazed over.
Comedian Lee Mack missed two good chances before eventually tapping home a third for the World XI in the final minute.
Following the match, it was announced the event had raised a record £13,014,769, the most in the 10-year history of Soccer Aid.
35’ England 0 - 0 World XI
England are working their way back into the game, with Paul Scholes the latest player to blaze his shot over the crossbar.
Moments later James Bay fires into the side netting from an acute angle.
31’ - England 0 - 0 World XI
The WXI make two early subs, with Robbie Keane and Chelsea Grimes replacing Julie Feeling and Big Zuu.
England 0 - 0 World XI
He’s still got it.
Seedforf’s free-kick hits the post early on.
26’ - England 0 - 0 World XI
There are some tired legs out there already. The World XI just broke in numbers with only three of England’s players able to successfully trackback.
We still have 20 minutes to go until half time...
20’ - England 0 - 0 World XI
Somehow it's still goalless after 20 minutes at the Ethiad.
Usain Bolt is played through on goal but he drags his effort wide of the near post.
Moments later Mark Wright fired into the side netting from range. It's an entertaining start, with Tom Grennan of all people standing out the most.
14’ - Aitch replaces Ollie Murs
Manchester’s finest Aitch comes on for England captain Murs, who is still recovering from a recent surgery.
The rapper slots into the midfield alongside Paul Scholes.
Seedorf rattles the post!
The Dutchman takes the free-kick in the end and rattles David James’ right post.
it bounces favourably for England, and the score stays at 0-0.
Neville fouls Bolt on the edge of the box
it’ll be a free-kick in a dangerous area for the WXI.
Roberto Carlos stands over it ominously...
Arthur misses early chance
it’s a nice bit of build-up from England but singer James Arthur can’t make contact with the cross.
The Three Lions are certainly having the best of the first five minutes.
Both teams take the knee
The crowd applauds warmly as both sets of players take the knee prior to Kick-Off.
We’re now underway.
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