Usain Bolt and his World XI teammates had plenty of reasons to celebrate after winning Soccer Aid 2023 (Picture: Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff)
The World XI team will be celebrating tonight after storming to victory in the celebrity football match Soccer Aid with a 4-2 victory.
England was beaten for a fifth consecutive year, at Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium on Sunday (June 11).
The real winner was charity, though, as Soccer Aid for United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) managed to raise more than £14,619,005 by the time the match was over.
Thanks to the generosity of football fans and viewers, there’ll be more to come as donations flood in until July.
World XI captain and Olympian Usain Bolt scored the first goal of the match before half-time.
Sex Education star Asa Butterfield got England level in the second half, just before long-distance runner Sir Mo Farah tackled Bolt to the ground.
The Olympic champ was victorious once again (Picture: Matt West/Shutterstock)
Robbie Keane scored not one, but two goals (Picture: Action Images via Reuters)
World XI have won Soccer Aid for the past five years (Picture: PA)
Minutes later, former Manchester United player Paul Scholes scored for England before needing treatment on the pitch.
Former Republic of Ireland captain Robbie Keane then grabbed the spotlight, with his World XI team’s second and third goals.
Love Island star Kem Cetinay, who commentators said is the all-time top goal-scorer in Soccer Aid history, then made it 4-2 – and the joyous look on his face was truly priceless.
Ahead of the match, rapper Stormzy, who was part of England’s management team, sounded confident, saying.
‘We just need to bring it home, that’s the main thing,’ he said.
The grime star added that his team should end its losing streak ‘today’.
Alas, it wasn’t meant to be, as the team, consisting of Liam Payne, Paddy McGuinness, Danny Dyer, Tom Hiddleston, and more failed to secure a win.
Love Islander Kem Cetinay became Soccer Aid’s top scorer! (Picture: PA)
The England squad gave it there all (Picture: Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff)
Tom Grennan treated Old Trafford to a tune at halftime (Picture: Will Matthews/PA Wire)
Making his first appearance for England, Loki star Tom said: ‘I’m out there with some of the greatest players in the world and my resolution is to just work hard, run all day, stay alert.’
Tom also encouraged fans in the stadium to donate and light up the stadium ahead of Tom Grennan singing Here to the crowd.
The 28-year-old singer, who is a Manchester United fan, became the first Soccer Aid player to play in the match and give a live half-time performance.
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What a game!