Soccer Aid 2016: Charity Match Score, Recap and Post-Match Reaction

England secured a 3-2 victory over the Rest of the World at Old Trafford on Sunday in the 2016 Soccer Aid match.  

The Three Lions opened the scoring through a Mark Wright thunderbolt before second-half substitute Dimitar Berbatov netted twice in quick succession, the second from the penalty spot.

Jermain Defoe netted with a fine finish on the hour mark before striking the winner following a good combination move with Kieron Dyer.

The biennial charity match raises money for UNICEF UK through ticket sales and public donations, having being founded in 2006 by singer-songwriter Robbie Williams and TV presenter Jonathan Wilkes.

Dave J Hogan/Getty Images

A host of retired international footballers and celebrities were on show at the Theatre of Dreams for the England side, including David Seaman, Jamie Carragher, Sol Campbell and Robbie Fowler.

Meanwhile, for the Claudio Ranieri-led Rest of the World XI, Cafu, Samuel Eto'o, Ronaldinho and Fabio Cannavaro were all participants in the charity event.

The Soccer Aid social media account detailed all the players involved in the contest:

England dominated proceedings throughout the first half as former X Factor runner-up Olly Murs spurned several opportunities from inside the box.

With seven minutes on the clock, the centre-forward beat the offside trap and former Netherlands international Jaap Stam, but his heavy touch inside the area allowed World Cup-winning goalkeeper Dida to block his shot on goal. 

Murs again failed to find the back of the net minutes before the half-time whistle, striking wide of goal. Former boyband member Marvin Humes charged down the right flank before finding his compatriot unmarked inside the area. However, Murs dragged his shot narrowly wide of goal as the two sides headed into the interval.

Former Barcelona star Ronaldinho was up to his old tricks in front of Brazil legend Pele, pulling off a cheeky double nutmeg:

The Only Way Is Essex star Wright, who formerly had trials at Tottenham as a youngster, netted the opening goal of the game with a beautiful free-kick strike from long range.

Soccer Aid captured the footage as England opened the scoring:

"

In case you missed it, @MarkWright_ with an absolute worldie from 30+ yards! Wow! #SoccerAid https://t.co/xYJdssVqyf

— Soccer Aid (@socceraid) June 5, 2016"

Ben Shepard was dismissed moments later after he received a second yellow card of the night for a poor lunge on Berbatov. 

The TV presenter was right to be wary of the former Bulgaria international's ability, as his two goals turned the tide of the contest.

The former Manchester United striker struck from 10 yards for his opener before Paddy McGuinness brought him to the ground inside the area.

The experienced attacker stuttered his run-up before slotting the ball past Jamie Theakston in the England net, as shown by Soccer Aid:

However, Sam Allardyce's men were not to be deterred, and they pulled a goal back through Defoe on 65 minutes. Darting past former World Player of the Year Cannavaro, the Sunderland striker struck low past Patrick Kielty.

The 33-year-old then put his side ahead with less than 15 minutes remaining, as he linked well with former Newcastle United and West Ham winger Dyer to double his tally.

Despite missing out on a place in manager Roy Hodgson's 23-man Euro 2016 squad, Defoe was eager to impress on the big stage but missed a glaring opportunity to grab his hat-trick after he struck over from inside the six-yard box following more fine work down the right from Dyer. 

It wouldn't prove vital in the outcome of the contest as the hosts held on to secure a 3-2 victory, with TV personality Wright winning the man-of-the-match award for his impressive strike.

 

Post-Match Reaction

Wright, playing at left-back for England in Sunday's clash with the Rest of the World, was delighted to become just the fifth celebrity to find the back of the net in the charity match.

According to the Manchester Evening News, the actor admitted he was looking forward to celebrating his first-half strike later that evening.

He said: "There’s going to be a few celebrations. I hit it and I heard someone shout 'it’s going in' and then I realised. I can’t explain the feeling. Amazing!"

Sunderland attacker Defoe had no qualms with taking the match seriously, as he netted a decisive brace.

Per the Telegraph's Richard Amofa, the striker said at full time: "When you love scoring goals, it doesn't matter what type of game it is, I'm gonna go and score."