Michael Essien contributed immensely towards the raising of $11.5M after featuring in Soccer Aid game which he won.
After the win, the former Chelsea midfielder took to Instagram and wrote:
“My second @socceraid game and my second win, great to do back to back against England XI. It was great to be back playing at Old Trafford again sad we couldn’t have the fans there but Thanks to everyone who watched on tv and donate. We raised a record of 11.5 million.⚽️🏃🏿♂️.”
Soccer Aid returned with a bang last night as an England XI packed with celebs and former stars took on the Rest of the World – and once again it went all the way to penalties.
The annual showpiece was held at Old Trafford, months later than originally planned, with the hosts looking to win back the trophy after the ROW XI triumphed in 2019.
Wayne Rooney took charge of the England XI as they looked to put the disappointment of a year ago behind them.
It was a cagey first half at the Theatre of Dreams, with England suffering a blow as striker Tom Davis was forced off early with an injury.
John Terry wasted a big chance after a lung-bursting run from the back, but it was former Man Utd left-back Patrice Evra who came closest to opening the scoring with a fierce drive from 25 yards.
Alfie Allen and Ore Oduba took over from the professionals between the sticks after the break and the game opened up with two rookies in goal.
Robbie Keane needed just nine minutes to break the deadlock, curling in a beautiful strike from the edge of the box which cannoned in off the left post.
But the World XI could only celebrate for three minutes, as England struck back through a composed finish from YouTuber Yung Filly.
Both sides had chances to win it in the 90 minutes, with James Bay and Olly Murs going close for England while Keane could have done better with a late opening.
For the third time in three years, Soccer Aid had to be decided from twelve yards in a celebrity penalty shootout.
And once again Lee Mack proved to be a disaster from the spot, firing a tame penalty down the middle after Locksmith had missed for the Rest of the World.
It came down to YouTube star Chunkz to keep England in it, but he fired his spot-kick wide at the Stretford End to give World XI the win for the second year running.
Penalty order
England
- Olly Murs – SCORED
- Mark Wright – SCORED
- Lee Mack – MISSED
- James Bay – SCORED
- Chunkz – MISSED
Rest of World
- Jeremy Lynch – SCORED
- Locksmith – MISSED
- Serge Pizzorno – SCORED
- Dermot Kennedy – SCORED
- Kem Cetinay – SCORED
How much money was raised?
All of the money raised at Soccer Aid goes to Unicef and every £1 pledged will be turned into £3 thanks to supporting from the Government and Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance.
At full time, it was announced that £11,552,577 had been raised throughout the match.
That makes this Soccer Aid the most successful in history.
Source: The Sun
