Soccer Aid made a triumphant return to a packed stadium on Saturday night, raising over £13 million for children's charities worldwide. The event, held at Manchester City's Etihad Stadium for the first time, saw a full-capacity crowd enjoy a friendly match between England and a World XI team.
Former Manchester United and City stars took part, including Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Wayne Rooney, and Shaun Wright-Phillips for England, while Patrice Evra, Pablo Zabaleta, and Nigel De Jong represented the World XI. The Etihad crowd greeted the United players with playful boos, but the atmosphere remained light-hearted throughout.
The match was goalless at half-time, with Clarence Seedorf hitting the post for the World XI. David Beckham's halftime appearance lifted spirits. In the second half, Love Island star Kem Cetinay scored twice, giving the World XI a 2-0 lead. Lee Mack added a third, sealing a 3-0 victory for the visitors.
Wayne Rooney played the entire match for England, showing defensive prowess and creating chances, but missed a golden opportunity to pull one back. Despite the loss, the focus remained on the record-breaking fundraising total.
Now in its 10th year, Soccer Aid has become a vital charity event, especially after being held behind closed doors in 2020. The funds raised will support children in need globally.
