Robbie Williams' England side win Soccer Aid match
The England team celebrate after beating the Rest of the World team at Old Trafford. Photo: Dave Howarth/PA Wire
Robbie Williams' England side beat a team of Hollywood A-listers
and football legends 3-1 in the fourth Soccer Aid at Manchester United's
Old Trafford stadium.
Two teams of celebrities, including actors Will Ferrell, Edward
Norton and Michael Sheen, clashed in the game which raised more than £4
million for Unicef.
The Soccer Aid event saw an England side, led by Take That's Williams, play a Rest of the World team. The England team celebrate their victory at Old Trafford. Credit: Dave Howarth/PA Wire
Before tonight's game Soccer Aid had raised more than of £6.5 million
through ticket sales and donations, with all profits going to Unicef's
work helping children across the world.Today the Government pledged to
match all the cash raised through donations.
The huge public response to the Soccer Aid appeal shows that those
watching tonight's game are united not only by a love of football but by
a fantastic generosity of spirit.
We will reflect that spirit by matching pound for pound from our
existing aid budget all public donations, helping Unicef reach hundreds
of thousands more children in east and west Africa.
– Andrew Mitchell, International Development SecretaryPlayers
on the England team included comedians John Bishop and Paddy
McGuinness, singers Olly Murs and Mark Owen, with Robbie Williams as
team captain. Olly Murs signs an autograph as he is being treated during the Soccer Aid match. Credit: Dave Howarth/PA Wire
They were joined by former footballers including Graeme Le Saux,
Martin Keown, Kevin Phillips, David Seaman, Teddy Sheringham and Des
Walker, with West Ham manager Sam Allardyce in charge of the team.
Playing for the Rest of the World were actor Gerard Butler, former
boxer Joe Calzaghe and Hollywood's Will Ferrell, Woody Harrelson, James
McAvoy, Ed Norton and Mike Myers. Mike Myers (left) tackled by Des Walker. Credit: Dave Howarth/PA Wire
Also playing was chef Gordon Ramsay - who was stretchered off the
pitch - with star of stage and screen Michael Sheen as captain. Gordon Ramsay is carried off during the match at Old Trafford. Credit: Dave Howarth/PA Wire
They were joined by football legends Hernan Crespo, Roy Keane,
Clarence Seedorf, Jaap Stam, Edwin Van Der Sar and Freddie Ljungberg,
with former Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish taking charge of the side.
The first half came to an end with the Rest of the World team 1-0 up,
thanks to a great goal from Kasabian guitarist Sergio Pizzorno. The
musician got on to the end of a pass from former Arsenal player Freddie
Ljungberg and chipped the ball over England goalkeeper David Seaman. Jaap Stam (right) and Kevin Phillips. Credit: Dave Howarth/PA Wire
Teddy Sheringham deflected a Graeme Le Saux shot into the back of the
net to equalise for England in the second half. Then, just minutes
later, Jonathan Wilkes put England 2-1 up. Paddy McGuiness, John Bishop and Robbie Williams celebrate. Credit: Dave Howarth/PA Wire
Kevin Phillips rounded off the game with a goal in the 89th minute to seal a 3-1 win for England.
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