England 0-1 World XI – Soccer Aid 2023: Usain Bolts puts Mauricio Pochettino’s side ahead as Stormzy’s Three Lions try to find an equaliser

Follow Mail Sport’s live blog as England and World XI go head-to-head at Soccer Aid 2023 at Old Trafford. 

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Nani is running the show as he dances with the ball at his feet on the edge of the box before rolling the ball into Tommy Fury who rushes his effort and tries to hit it first time but smashes it straight into the crowd.

Nani was renowned for scoring some stunning long-range goals during his time at Man United and has a great effort denied by David James here as his attempt is well saved.

Former United star Nani is back at his old stomping ground as he is brought on to a hero’s welcome at Old Trafford. The Portuguese star should add some quality to this game given he is still playing as a professional down under.

Liam Payne and Jill Scott come off to be replaced by Danny Dyer and former Lionesses star Karen Carney. Only at Soccer Aid will you ever see such changes take place.

Jack Wilshere’s delivery is perfect from a free-kick on the edge of the World XI box as he finds Cahill. The Englishman’s header has power behind it but is straight at Foster.

World XI slot a throughball in behind the England defence and Bolt shows Bugzy Malone a clean pair of heels as he bursts through on goal and slots a shot past James. Great finish from the Man United fan at Old Trafford.

Maisie Adam is the second World Xi player to be subbed off as she is replaced by Love Island star and professional boxer Tommy Fury. He receives a huge cheer as he is brought on at Old Trafford.

World XI star Noah Beck is adamant he has been fouled in the box by Gary Cahill and demands a penalty but is told to get up as replays show he won the former Chelsea defender won the ball first.

Masie Adam goes so close to becoming the first woman ever to score in a Soccer Aid game as she is fed through on goal by Darren Fletcher. Her effort is on-target but straight at the keeper.

Stormzy is being interviewed as the match plays out in-front of him. The grime rapper is in charge of England tonight and reveals that Usain Bolt is his idol but tonight he has to get ‘smoked’. Stormzy has given Bugzy Malone special instructions to stay on the Jamaican all night, so far it’s working.

Brazilian World Cup winner Roberto Carlos has run his race as he comes off the pitch looking absolutely shattered. Darren Fletcher replaces him.

Usain Bolt still holds the record for being the quickest person in the world and shows his pace as he gets down the left-wing, Gary Neville is helpless to stop him but the Jamaican drags his shot wide. His shin pad flies off in the process.

England win a free-kick just inside the World XI half but spurn their opportunity as they quickly lose possesion.

Former Chelsea and Inter Milan striker Hernan Crespo beats England’s defence and is through on goal but his shot is tame and easily saved by David James. End-to-end action.

England have started on the front-foot with One Direction star Liam Payne finding space on the right-wing and testing Ben Foster with a shot from outside the box. The Wrexham goalkeeper saves comfortably.

We are underway at Old Trafford for Soccer Aid 2023.

Old Trafford is ready and we are ready as the players walk out the tunnel to a roaring atmosphere. Blue and white flags are waving (not sure they are favoured at the home of Man United) and everyone is up off their feets. Kick-off is just moments away.

From donning his famous Union Jack vest when headlining Glastonbury years ago to strutting out at Old Trafford in a magnificent suit. Man United boss Erik ten Hag might want to take down some style points.

Meanwhile, Youtube star Chunks is soaking up the occasion in the centre circle.

There is a score that needs to be settled tonight with England having lost their last four Soccer Aid games against their Rest of the World opponents. Lee Mack missed a penalty in the tie this time last year to hand victory to England’s opponents. 

Danny Dyer is on hand when asked about the record but he said he wasn’t playing those last few times so he can’t take any of the blame.

Players are being put through their warm-ups ahead of kick-of at 7.30pm and we are being treated to some great snaps from Old Trafford.

Danny Dyer looks at ease as he strolls around the Old Trafford pitch, Usain Bolt is keeping his speed ready for the next 90 minutes and Lee Mack is spending time going through his stretches with Patrice Evra.

Mauricio Pochettino has named his World XI starting side and I imagine his first Chelsea squad next season n the Premier League will look slightly different. Poch has decided to opt for a mix of experience and celebrity status with Italian legend Francesco Totti starting upfront and Wrexham’s Ben Foster between the sticks.

WORLD XI: 4-2-4: Ben Foster, Heather O’Reilly, Sam Claflin, Roberto Carlos, Mo Gilligan, Noah Beck, Patrice Evra, Maisie Adam, Usain Bolt (C), Francesco Totti, Hernan Crespo.

🇮🇹 @Totti up front

💫 @NoahBeck in the middle

🎶 Super @BenFoster in goal

Here's your World XI lineup 🤩 @PUMAFootball x @PUMATeamwear pic.twitter.com/NXpcp97JUL

So this is how England start for tonight’s match and it is probably one of the strangest line-ups we have ever seen. Think England from yesteryear with rap stars and actors added in. Whether it will be any good only Stormzy knows who is managing the team (not sure what his coaching credentials are)

ENGLAND: 3-4-3 – David James, Gary Neville, Gary Cahill, Bugzy Malone, Joel Corry, Jill Scott (C), Jack Wilshere, Tom Hiddlestone, Liam Payne, Tom Grennan, Jermain Defoe. 

💪 @twhiddleston and @LiamPayne start

💥 @Tom_Grennan on the left

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 @GNev2 and @GaryJCahill in defence

Here's your England starting XI for this evening 📝@primark || #SoccerAid pic.twitter.com/HpW97vSUyC

Soccer Aid is the annual match that thousands flock to watch in-person and millions watch around the world in a bid to raise money for UNICEF.

Tonight will see an England XI take on a Rest of the World XI and there is some huge names from the world of sport on show, along with reality TV stars, comedians and Hollywood actors.

Lionesses star Jill Scott will captain England and she is joined in the side by Sir Mo Farah, former Man United star Gary Neville, grime artist Stormzy and everyone’s favourite East Ender Danny Dyer among others.

The Rest of the World team are skippered by the world’s fastest man in Usain Bolt, Tommy Fury, and YouTuber Niko.

Team news will be with us shortly.

Good evening and welcome to Old Trafford for what is surely the biggest game of the season! Manchester City clinched the Champions League last night by beating Inter Milan in Istanbul, but Soccer Aid 2023 certainly offers more lure, celebrity status and people we aren’t used to seeing on a football pitch trying to kick a ball.

There’s some serious talent on show in this year’s charity match with current pros and past winners ready to put on a show in Manchester. Stick with us throughout the evening as we bring you live coverage.

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