Eden Hazard Shines at Stamford Bridge in England’s 6-3 Soccer Aid Victory

• by Arlen Fitzpatrick
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Hazard’s Stamford Bridge Homecoming in Soccer Aid 2024

When you think of Stamford Bridge, you still associate it with Eden Hazard’s magic, and at Soccer Aid 2024, he didn’t disappoint. Returning to Chelsea’s home for this year’s charity showdown, Hazard was the main attraction for many fans. His free-kick, curled right past David James—another familiar Premier League face—stood out as one of the moments everyone will remember from the night. For a brief moment, the crowd erupted, basking in nostalgia as Hazard levelled the game for the World XI after England grabbed the initial lead.

The glittering roster didn’t end with Hazard. The pitch saw unlikely teammates this year, with Usain Bolt once again donning his football boots for the World XI. Alessandro Del Piero, usually pulling strings in Serie A memories, dazzled in the midfield, while even Tom Hiddleston—the British actor known for playing Loki—got in on the action. The blend of sporting icons and celebrities gave the event that extra touch of fun and unpredictability, which has always separated Soccer Aid from your average exhibition match.

England XI’s Attacking Edge and Charity Spirit

But for all the star power on World XI, England’s squad brought their own big names—and their best game. Veterans like Joe Cole and Theo Walcott, who both know Stamford Bridge well, drove the side forward all evening. The England XI’s fluid attacking pushed them ahead and, despite the occasional scare from Hazard’s brilliance and World XI’s counterattacks, England finished with a convincing 6-3 victory. Their team play looked sharp; you could tell some of the ex-pros still have it, with smart passes, clever movement, and—most importantly—the hunger to keep scoring.

This wasn’t your textbook friendly game where everyone’s jogging and joking for ninety minutes. The match had its competitive edge, with early goals, wild celebrations, and even a few crunching tackles (all in good spirit, of course). Not to mention the defensive stops from Roberto Carlos and powerful runs from Didier Drogba, both still showing why they were once top of their game. On the other end, moments like Hazard’s free-kick and Del Piero’s calm touches brought a genuine football quality—reminding everyone why these names are still chanted across stadiums worldwide.

Let’s not forget the real purpose behind all the drama and entertainment: UNICEF. Soccer Aid is more than just a showcase of football and celebrity—it’s a massive fundraising event for children in need across the globe. The match at Stamford Bridge was about fun, sure, but the underlying message of hope and unity made each goal, each tackle, and every touch even more meaningful. This annual charity fixture once again proved that sport can bring rivals together, raise big sums for causes that matter, and, just as importantly, remind us why we fell in love with the beautiful game in the first place. The sight of Hazard scoring at his old ground for charity? That’s the kind of story football fans—no matter who they support—can all get behind.