2021 MATCH REPORT

Soccer Aid for UNICEF 2021 raised a record-breaking £13,014,769 for UNICEF’s work keeping children around the world, happy, healthy and able to play. This figure has smashed all previous records for money raised on the night.

Fan favourites Olly Murs, Usain Bolt, Chunkz and Jamie Redknapp came back to play for 2021, joined by a host of new faces including Tom Grennan, James Arthur and Fara Wiliams. England legend Wayne Rooney stepped away from his 2020 management role and pulled on his boots to play for the Three Lions. In a new signing for the 2021 game, Alex Scott was our Pitch-side Reporter, alongside Soccer Aid’s long-term supporter, Dermot O’Leary as Presenter and Maya Jama returned to add her thoughts as a pundit.

The eagerly anticipated match took place once again in Manchester, and this time players took centre stage at the sold out Etihad Stadium. The match ended 3-0 to Soccer Aid World XI and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, David Beckham OBE presented the Soccer Aid for UNICEF shield to the winning Soccer Aid World XI FC team.

Match highlights included Player of the Match, Kem Cetinay scoring two goals for the Soccer Aid World XI FC – meaning the former Love Islander has now netted in each of the matches he has played in: 2019, 2020 and 2021, which is an all-time Soccer Aid for UNICEF record.

The first half saw feisty tackles from Tom Grennan, two attempted goals from James Bay and incredible energy from Harriet Pavlou. ITV favourite, Stephen Mulhern was revealed as the Masked Winger, kicking off the second half and receiving a yellow card within minutes. The England team attempted to make a comeback with a near miss from Wayne Rooney, however the Soccer Aid World XI FC held strong with an incredible late goal from underdog Lee Mack in the final minutes of the match, following his infamous penalty misses in previous years.

CHECK OUT THE FULL 2021 LINE-UP BELOW: