ENGLAND defeated a World XI 3-2 to win this year’s Soccer Aid clash at London Stadium.
Robbie WIlliams’ men took a commanding 3-0 lead via Damson Idris’ controversial opener and a Jermain Defoe double.
Usain Bolt’s visitors threatened a comeback via efforts by Michael Essien and Tim Cahill.
But England held on to claim this year’s bragging rights.
Here’s how SunSport’s Mitchell Hall rated each performer in East London.
England XI
Joe Hart – 6
Made some calm stops from some equally tame efforts.
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Was never really tested in his first-half innings.
Sam Thompson – 6
Didn’t have much to do in the first half against Behzinga, but kept the ball well enough in possession.
Was the first player substituted in the fixture to make way for Hiddlestone.
Joleon Lescott – 7
He was loving the physical side of the game out there, shrugging off celebs and sliding into Premier League legends as though he was in his prime.
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Angry Ginge – 6
Seemed content to let Lescott do the bulk of the heavy lifting, and why wouldn’t you?
Was brave facing down Rizwan’s attempt at a bicycle kick, which ended up closer to an assault than a shot in the end, and made a decent clearance to deny World XI a leveller right after half-time
Owen Cooper – 8
Got stuck in early with some challenges on Nabhaan Rizwan to get the crowd on their feet.
Composed beyond his years (16!) against a lively opponent, and even dispossessed Berbatov in the box, before very nearly giving away a penalty with the follow up challenge.
Tom Grennan – 7
With his boundless energy and lunging tackles, he was reminiscent of a curly-haired Declan Rice – though with his consistently heavy touch, he might not be appearing in any Champions League finals anytime soon.
A solid partner to Wilshere next to him, but couldn’t quite find his standout moment like in previous years.
Jack Wilshere – 6
Kept things ticking over in midfield, even though he left most of the adventurous stuff to his celebrity team-mates.
Had a good understanding with Wayne Rooney.
Toni Duggan – 5
A thorn in the side of World XI’s back line with her runs down the left flank, but always seemed to arrive just a tick too late to create any threat.
Wayne Rooney -7
Absolutely clattered Michael Essien almost immediately, before continuing to play like he did not know it was a charity match.
A ball of energy in the first half, and led the charge on most of England’s many counter attacks.
Damson Idris – 8
Showed some desire to chase down some long balls in behind, and did especially well to see any of the ball against Jordi Alba, who was playing professionally six months ago.
Plucked a brilliant trivela finish out for the opener, even if there was a pretty heavy suggestion of offside on the pass that played him in.
Jermain Defoe – 9
Was up against a determined Nemanja Matic at the back and ended up relegated to more of a playmaker than his poaching best in the first half.
Set up a great chance for Rooney to double England’s advantage, before doing it himself in the second period with a dink over O’Dowd… then did it again a minute later.
Subs:
Tom Hiddlestone (for Sam Thompson 21’) – 5
Didn’t have long in the first half to flex his game but made a fantastic sliding challenge on the electric Nitro to announce himself.
Looked a little off the pace in attack.
Jade Moore (for Duggan 34′) – 6
Showed for Rooney and Defoe on the break but didn’t see too much of the ball as the duo played it between each other.
GK Barry (for Hiddleston 42′) – 4
Was caught out waving to the crowd immediately after coming on as the ball rolled past her feet and out for a throw in.
The crowd loved her pass to Grennan in the midfield, and she seemed content to live with that as her one contribution for the day.
Joe Marler (for Hart 46′) – 4
Dropped his first touch of the ball for Ginge to clear off the line.
Was safer after that, and his antics were a crowd favourite, but the mistake for Essien’s goal felt inevitable.
Theo Walcott (for Rooney 46′) – 6
Struck a sweet effort to force Chris O’Dowd into a strong save minutes into the second half.
Jordan North (for GK Barry 46′) – 6
Demolished Adam in the box after she scuffed a shot in front of goal, but otherwise looked composed at left-back.
Danny Dyer (for Cooper 48′) – 5
Was a player who was on the pitch.
Got a massive cheer and seemed more energetic than some might have thought, but didn’t really touch the ball before being hooked.
Shaun Wright-Phillips (for Defoe 62′) – 6
A very eager presence up front for England after Defoe’s departure, but the break never fell to him.
Jill Scott (for Moore 62′) – 6
One of the biggest cheers of the night for her substitution, unfortunate to arrive at a time where World XI were growing back into the game.
Olly Murs (for North 64′) – 5
Made some good challenges after a raucous introduction. Always looks tidy in these games.
Jack Whitehall (for Dyer 68′) – 2
Didn’t have much time to get involved as he shook off Arsenal’s Champions League final defeat.
Chloe Burrows (for Idris, 79) – 2
Got out there but didn’t have many opportunities to shine as World put the pressure on.
Alex Brooker (for Burrows, 86) – 4
Got a brilliant reception from the crowd and helped England see out their win.
Paddy McGuiness (for Whitehall, 88) – 4
Soccer Aid legend got a huge cheer as he made a brief late cameo.
World XI
Edwin van der Sar – 7
Did not have much to do in the early stages, but was lively on his feet to beat Damson Idris to some speculative long balls.
Could not do much for his brilliant improvised finish for the opener, but made a spectacular stop to deny Rooney, which he celebrated appropriately.
Jordi Alba – 6
Struggled surprisingly with actor Damson Idris in behind, though the occasional spectacular first touch reminded fans why he was sharing a pitch with Lionel Messi just six months ago.
Richard Gadd – 8
The Scot looked every bit as composed at the back as his Manchester United alum partner at the back.
Made some brilliant interventions against the likes of Rooney and Defoe. Brought the crowd to life with one sliding challenge in particular.
Could not get to Idris in time to stop his effort, but wasn’t far off considering the winger’s (most likely offside) head start.
Nemanja Matic – 6
Did not have too much to do centrally, mostly tried to nullify Defoe, but was at times left exposed on the counter.
Was skinned by Rooney near the end of the first half, but was bailed out by his keeper.
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau – 5
Did not have too much to do in the early stages, seemed composed on the ball and made some intelligent runs, but they went largely unrewarded.
Hooked after barely 20 minutes in favour of a bit more dynamism.
Dermot Kennedy – 7
More than held his own in a congested midfield, and helped kickstart a few promising attacks with his reliable passing.
Was not running the length of the pitch to provide attacking threat, but did well in his specific role.
Jen Beattie – 6
Another calm head next to Kennedy to keep things ticking along in the World XI midifeld.
A bit more adventurous at times going forward but was unable to make a huge mark.
Nabhaan Rizwan – 7
Struggled in the opening minutes against young Owen Cooper, but found more luck after moving inside.
Had a couple of mazy runs and played some delicate incisive balls, even if his attempt at an acrobatic effort ended up briefly injuring Angry Ginge.
Michael Essien – 6
Was demolished by Rooney early doors and seemed to take up a more offensive role after that.
A safe pair of feet, but was unremarkable until his speculative effort beat Marler in goal.
Behzinga – 6
Played a nice ball across the box for Rizwan but was denied by a much-needed foot-in courtesy of Lescott.
Deputised at right-back after the introduction of Nitro, where his physicality helped him shine a bit more.
Dimitar Berbatov – 5
Was not shy of showing off his flicks and tricks and always threatened to burst into the box by beating a man, but it never opened up for him.
Was unfortunate not to earn a penalty under the challenge of Cooper, but the 16-year-old had tackled him fair and square a moment earlier so he can’t have too many complaints.
Subs:
Nitro (for Nikolaj Coster-Waldau 23’) – 6
The gladiator’s immense pace was a welcome weapon against Tom Hiddleston, but the Hollywood star proved too deft positionally to give him much down the right flank.
Like Rizwan, he attempted to move centrally to find more chances, but his touch let him down more often than not.
Ali Krieger (for Beattie 31′) – 6
Another vastly experienced midfield option, Krieger kept tempo with her predecessor and helped provide her side a solid base on which to build.
Struggled to keep up with Rooney and Co on the counter attack.
Chris O’Dowd (for Van der Sar 46′) – 6
Announced himself with a brilliant save to deny Walcott early in the second half, but was chipped twice in as many minutes by Defoe to give England a three-goal advantage.
Still made some good saves and played better than his scoreline suggested.
Lukas Podolski (for Berbatov 46′) – 5
A more energetic presence up front, especially with Cahill darting up to join him. Some entertaining runs but no cutting edge.
Nicky Byrne (for Alba 46′) – 5
Looked technically tidy in the midfield, but seemed a bit overwhelmed with the options running around him and tended to hesitate.
Tim Cahill (for Nitro 46′) – 6
Arrived as a roaming option from midfield to attack, a much needed touch of creative quality in the World XI. Scored.
Maisie Adam (for Rizwan 46′) – 4
Unfortunately fluffed her lines on a low cross into the box, before being taken out by Jordan North.
Recovered by jumping on Marler for a piggy-back ride. The laws of the game seem woefully unclear on what repercussions that would generally incur.
Molly McCann (for Adam 57′) – 5
Ended up against Murs on the right wing but didn’t see much of the ball in the end.
Simon Neil (for Gad 63′) – 4
Had big shoes to fill thanks to the imperious Gadd, and was clearly not comfortable out there.
Leonardo Bonucci (for Essien 75′) – 4
Italian icon wasn’t able to produce any of his trademark crunching challenges or raking long balls.
TBJZL (for Byrne, 78) – 4
Didn’t have much time to make an impact.
Frankie Dettori (Neil, 84) – 4
Didn’t have enough time to leave his mark on the game.
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