2025 Soccer Aid: A recap of everything you need to know!!

Introduction

It’s that time of the year again! This past Sunday Manchester’s iconic Old Trafford hosted everybody’s favourite charitable event. You guessed it; it’s the return of Soccer Aid!!! This year marked 19 years since the event first started, and let me promise you, it didn’t disappoint. In fact, many are largely crediting yesterday’s match as one of its most electrifying editions. The charity football match saw celebrities, sporting icons, and football legends come together for a night of entertainment and drama. But above all for a special cause – all in the aid of vulnerable children across the globe. 

The event was nothing short of a success and proved once again why it is such a beloved event in Britain. Not only did it provide great entertainment, laughter and record-breaking moments, but they also managed to raise over £15 million! This is an incredible achievement that will change the lives of so many vulnerable kids worldwide.  

In case you forget, let’s recap why Soccer Aid is…

Soccer Aid is an annual charity football match that helps raise funds for UNICEF, supporting vulnerable children across the globe. It brings together celebrities, football icons and professional players for an evening of entertainment, laughter and fun, but most importantly, a good cause. 

The first event took place all the way back in 2006 and has since had 19 successful years. It features an England XI going up against a World XI in a competitive but overall enjoyable match. Across its years it has been credited with providing top-notch entertainment, sporting talent and light-hearted moments. 

It’s annually broadcasted on ITV and has become one of the UK’s biggest and most beloved charity sporting events. Across its 19-year span, it has raised over £100 million. Overall, Soccer Aid has used the power of football for good, created unforgettable moments for both the crowd and the celebrity participants, as well as helped support a worldwide cause. 

Now let’s recap the sensational nights. 

The Celebrities and the Teams 

This year’s Soccer Aid promises to deliver, and they didn’t disappoint. In fact, many believe that this is one of their strongest celebrity line-ups to date. 

The England squad featured Gary Neville, Joe Hart, Louis Tomlinson, and Bella Ramsey. Whereas the World XI featured an international cast, including Leonardo Bonucci, Naida Nadim, Tevez, Big Zuu and Diamond. Additionally, boxing legend Tyson Fury featured as the World XI co-manager, and iconic singer Robbie Williams also made an appearance.

Both teams had a mixed squad as a way of continuing and encouraging Soccer Aid’s tradition of inclusivity and sporting spirit. 

England Kicks it Off with an Exhilarating Start 

The evening started off bright and hopeful for the England squad, as football legend Wayne Rooney scored a goal in just under 4 minutes!! Another way Soccer Aid provides groundbreaking moments is that this was the fastest goal ever scored in its history. 

Shortly after, England’s Toni Duggan and Jermain Defoe scored 2 goals for the lions. This put England in a really good position, giving them a commanding lead of 3-0 right before the match went into half-time. 

At that point, a sensational, electrifying energy spread throughout the stadium. A lively crowd of over 70,000 fans, in addition to the millions watching at home, were responsible for this. It seemed as though England were on their way to being crowned the 2025 Soccer Aid winners. However, World XI were not giving up that easily, with an insane comeback in the second half. 

World XI makes a comeback, and Tevez changes the game. 

Carlos Tevez, former Manchester United and Argentina forward, is widely credited as a football legend. And in the second half of the game, he proved to live up to their title. Making a triumphant return on behalf of the World squad, Tevez left the stadium speechless, showcasing his undeniable talent. How, you may ask? By scoring 4 sensational clean goals. 

At this point, tension became high, and everyone was at the edge of their seat. Tevez had created a rather thrilling finale, leaving everyone wondering one thing. Who was going to be this year’s champions? 

Big Zuu Secures the Win, crowning the World XI your 2025 winners

With only a few minutes left, the match was tied 4-4. The atmosphere had an uncertain vibe, with viewers wondering who would take this year’s crown. That was when beloved rapper Big Zuu secured the win with a decisive goal. And with that the World XI rose to victory, beating the England squad 5-4. Last night’s win marked a remarkable turnaround and ended the evening with one of the most dramatic wins. 

Celebrations on the pitch and stands sparked for the World X team. Congratulations to them on their win once again!!

The Behind-the-Scenes Antics 

But what would Soccer Aid be without its behind-the-scenes antics, filled with comedy and offering light-hearted antics? Tyson Fury performed some hilarious halftime pep talks. However, his use of strong language stirred up some controversy and made headlines. ITV apologised on his behalf, with TV presenter Alex Scott saying, “We do apologise for the swearing. It’s Tyson; we don’t know what’s going to happen.” 

YouTuber Angry Ginge was present for an event. He was a strong advocate and supporter for England, even exchanging some cheeky words with Tevez.  

Conclusion

This year’s Soccer Aid truly was an exhilarating event. Combining football and fun, it provides a great evening of entertainment, all whilst promoting a great cause. It was an unforgettable night for the city of Manchester, and the annual event is a constant reminder of how we can use football for good. 

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