ENGLAND XI 3, WORLD XI 3
(England won 4-3 on penalties)
England were crowned Soccer Aid champions for 2018 following a dramatic penalty shootout victory against the World XI in front of 71,965 at Old Trafford.
It went to sudden death after each side scored three of their five kicks with England missing their last two as comedians Paddy McGuinness and Lee Mack had chances to seal victory.
Kevin Pietersen and Nicky Byrne also failed for find the next for the World XI, Homeland actor David Harewood saving both kicks.
In sudden death actor Hayden Christensen blazed over for the World XI while actor Blake Harrison kept his nerve to score the winning spot kick.
It was a thrilling finish to an excellent game as England, managed by Sam Allardyce, went 2-0 ahead through Darren Bent and Jeremy Lynch.
The World XI, managed by Harry Redknapp, hit back to go 3-2 ahead through goals from Robbie Keane, Juan Sebastian Veron and Clarence Seedorf before a late goal from Michael Owen forced the penalty decider.
United greats Edwin van Der Sar, Jaap Stam and Veron were in the World XI alongside other sporting icons like Usain Bolt, Dan Carter and Pietersen.
It also included former City player Yaya Toure, who was loudly booed with every touch, and Keane while Reds’ legend Eric Cantona was joint manager who would make a late cameo.
England had former internationals David Seaman, Wes Brown, Bent, Phil Neville and Danny Murphy in their side alongside the likes of Olly Murs, Damian Lewis and Mo Farah.
And it was England who were quicker out of the blocks than Bolt and co as they went 2-0 ahead inside 17 minutes.
Lewis played a delightful through ball to release Bent to slot home the opener.
And that was quickly followed by Only Way Is Essex star Mark Wright crossing for freestyle footballer Jeremy Lynch to volley home.
The World XI halved deficit when Keane converted a Carter cross at the second attempt.
And Bolt thought he had made it 2-2 moments later, but had strayed offside.
Veron equalised in the 43rd minute following an excellent low shot on the turn following Keane’s cutback from the left.
Further legends entered the fray for the second half including Claude Makele, Robert Pires, Patrick Kluivert, Seedorf, Jamie Redknapp and Darius Vassell while Owen came on soon after the restart.
The World XI completed their comeback in the 57th minute moments after Bolt struck the crossbar.
The Dutch connection was the key as Kluivert released Seedoft to rifle home a low shot.
Without question the biggest cheer of the night came with 18 minutes left when Cantona made his bow in place of Toure.
England made it 3-3 with seven minutes left. Redknapp’s shot struck the upright and Owen showed he had not lost his predatory touch in front of goal to fire home the rebound.
And that sent the game to a penalty decider as England made it 5-2 in the Soccer Aid matches.