Soccer Aid 2024 LIVE RESULT: England THRASH World XI to end their six-year wait for charity match win – latest reaction
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:
Follow ALL the action from Soccer Aid 2024 with our live blog below...
Match ball arrives via JETPACK
"I believe I can flyyyyyyy"
Believe it or not, the Soccer Aid match ball has just been delivered by a man, WHO CAN FLY.
The event for Unicef ups the ante every year, and this year was no different as a man with a JETPACK flew around Stamford Bridge with the match ball strapped to his chest.
He then landed in the centre circle and dropped the ball to the floor, controlling it with aplomb.
That was something else.
I'm still in shock typing this...
Here's your proof, human flight is possibleCredit: X - @socceraid The Pochettino injury curse continues
Oh Mauricio, how do your players get injured BEFORE a charity match?
Perhaps ol' Roberto has had the charity match fixture congestion catch up with him...
The legendary Roberto Carlos had to pull out of the game due to injury Home, at last...
How about this one, Chelsea fans?
Petr Cech, Michael Essien, John Obi Mikel, and of course Eden Hazard, back home at Stamford Bridge.
Getting the band back together much?
Right to left: Eden Hazard, John Obi Mikel, Michael Essien and Petr CechCredit: X - @SoccerAid
The most important part of the night - DONATE
There may be an array of talent on display tonight, including some of the best to EVER play the game, but there is one thing you mustn't forget.
And that, is the amazing work that Unicef do every single day.
You may be fortunate enough to watch this game from the comfort of your sofa, or in the pub with your mates, drinking a glass of fresh orange juice, or perhaps a glass of water, but not everyone is that privileged.
PLUS, if you donate by phone, you may just get a call back from a celebrity sat just a few rows in front of me here, including Levi Roots, Shaun Wallace, Laura Tobin and Sinitta!
Donate .
Theo Walcott chats to SunSport
Arsenal Cult hero and ex-England star Theo Walcott knows a thing or two about football, and he reckons England have got it in the bag.
Not just tonight, but at Euro 2024 too.
Speaking exclusively to SunSport he spoke about how he thinks he is faster than Usain Bolt and England's chances at the Euro's:
“Yeah, 10, 15 metres? I only have to run 30 metres tops so I’d have him over that bit - we’ll see on Sunday”
“It’s coming home on both fronts
“I look at Germans, with the home support and the way they’ve got a bit of a point to prove as well because of the disappointment of the previous tournaments
“There’s something about the Germans I’m a bit concerned about”
It's coming home on both fronts
Theo WalcottDanny Dyer has "got a bit"
He's got a tough job tonight, against Eden Hazard, Alessandro Del Piero, and Usain Bolt.
But according to Gary Cahill, who we interviewed exclusively for SunSport, he's a secret weapon for England tonight.
Perhaps he's been taught a thing or two by his son in law Jarrod Bowen, who has just been selected by Gareth Southgate for Euro 2024.
Don't hold us to it, but if he impresses you tonight, I hate to say I told you so...
Not a bad front three...
Alessandro Del Piero, Champions League winner and SIX-time Serie A winner, on the right.
Usain Bolt, Olympic champion, the fastest man to ever grace the earth in a 100 metre sprint.
And Eden Hazard, one of the finest wingers to ever play in the Premier League, a Europa League champion and perhaps the best Belgian to ever kick a football.
Danny Dyer, you might be in trouble here...
Del Piero is a World Cup winnerCredit: Getty 
Eden Hazard, one of the best to ever do it for Chelsea Eden Hazard starts
Eden Hazard starts for the World XI at the home of Chelsea, Stamford Bridge.
The Belgian winger will surely be looking to impress the abundance of supporters who are here to see their star shine.
World 11's starting XI
This is how the World XI line-up, as they look to continue their domination of England in recent Soccer Aid games...
World XI's starting 11 to take on EnglandCredit: X - @SoccerAid
Jack and Jill in midfield
Jack Wilshere and Jill Scott form a classy England midfield at Soccer Aid tonight, with both players representing England in their peak.
Let's hope they're not fighting an uphill battle against the World XI today, they have certainly got the quality to win this game.
Jack Wilshere will be partnered by Jill Scott (pictured) in midfieldCredit: Getty England's starting XI
Here is your England starting XI, as they look to beat the World XI for the first time in SIX years...
England's starting XICredit: X - Socceraid Look out for Theo Baker
He might not have had the glittering career of Alessandro Del Piero, Eden Hazard or Michael Essien, but I'll tell you what, Theo Baker has got a bit.
The YouTube star has previously played a key role for his side in the Sidemen Charity match, as well as balling out for Hashtag United back in the day, but is prone to an injury or two.
He may be a relatively unknown quantity compared to some of the talent on display here tonight, but if you don't believe me that he's got the talent, here he is nutmegging ex-Chelsea midfielder John Obi-Mikel in training...
Theo Baker nutmegged Chelsea icon John Obi Mikel in trainingCredit: X - socceraid The garden of Eden
Tonight is the night, Eden Hazard returns to Stamford Bridge, and the roar inside the half-full stadium was electric when his name was announced.
The fans will go absolutely wild when one of the finest wingers to ever play the sport steps foot on a pitch that he made his own in his time at Chelsea.
Eden Hazard returns to Stamford BridgeCredit: X - @ChelseaFC World XI squad
Coaches: Mauricio Pochettino, Robbie Keane, Jesus Perez.
Legends: Eden Hazard, Petr Cech, Patrice Evra, John Obi Mikel, Michael Essien, Alessandro Del Piero, Kheira Hamraoui, Olga Garcia, Kaylyn Kyle.
Celebrities: Usain Bolt (Captain), Maisie Adam, Theo Baker, Tony Bellew, Martin Compston, Diamond, Tommy Fury, Roman Kemp, Lee Mack, Jason Manford, Emmett J Scanlan, Micheal Ward, Tion Wayne.
Credit: REX Roberto Carlos pulls out
The Brazilian pulled out of tonight's Soccer Aid just hours before kick-off.
The charity football match is set to start at 7.30pm tonight at Stamford Bridge.
An England team made up of celebrities and ex-footballers will take on a World XI.
However the World XI have been rocked as Carlos has pulled out of the match.
The Brazilian is arguably one of the biggest footballing names that was expected to feature.
The 51-year-old confirmed that he would not be playing on social media.
He : "Unfortunately, I’m unable to make tonight’s Soccer Aid for UNICEF match at Stamford Bridge.
"Good luck to all the players - and remember to donate."
Who's playing for England tonight?
Coaches: Frank Lampard, Harry Redknapp, Vicky McClure, Robbie Williams, David Seaman.
Legends: Jill Scott (Captain), Gary Cahill, Karen Carney, Joe Cole, Jermain Defoe, David James, Theo Walcott, Ellen White, Jack Wilshere, Ashley Cole.
Celebrities: Steven Bartlett, Bobby Brazier, Stuart Broad, Alex Brooker, Erin Doherty, Danny Dyer, Sir Mo Farah, Tom Grennan, Eddie Hearn, Tom Hiddleston, Paddy McGuinness, Miniminter, Sam Quek, Sam Thompson.
Hello and welcome to SunSport’s live blog of Soccer Aid 2024!
The huge annual charity match returns to Stamford Bridge for the first time since 2019.
World XI have won the last FIVE Soccer Aid matches and tonight they will have the help of ex-Chelsea stars Eden Hazard, John Obi Mikel, Peter Cech and Michael Essien.
But England have some legends of their own with Joe Cole, Jill Scott, Karen Carney and Ashley Cole amongst the star-studded names involved.
Tonight’s huge event is all about raising money for Soccer Aid for Unicef which you can do .
Is it too late now to say "Steven?"
Dragon's Den judge, Entrepeneur and Diary of a CEO host Steven Bartlett was sensational tonight, and has reacted to helping England claim their first win over the World XI in SIX years.
Steven, we might need you for the summer just yet...