Wayne Rooney makes Soccer Aid history as Man United legend, 39, rolls back the years by scoring past Edwin van der Sar at the Stretford End

• United and England icon Wayne Rooney scored Soccer Aid’s quickest-ever goal
• Rooney fired past Edwin van der Sar inside the opening four minutes on Sunday
• Soccer Aid raises money for UNICEF, who aim to protect play for every child — to donate, visit donate.socceraid.org.uk

By ROBERT SUMMERSCALES

Published: 20:15 BST, 15 June 2025 | Updated: 22:24 BST, 15 June 2025

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney scored in front of the Stretford End just four minutes into Sunday’s Soccer Aid charity match at Old Trafford.

Rooney, 39, playing for England against a World XI, fired home from 14 yards after ex-United team-mate Edwin van der Sar had failed to gather a cross.

The goal set a new record as the earliest in Soccer Aid history.

Soccer Aid, which was launched in 2006, sees former football stars share a field with celebrities in the name of raising money for UNICEF.

While it is the biggest sporting event of their lives for many of the individuals involved, Rooney has been there and done it many times before — scoring 253 goals for United during his playing career, plus 53 for England. 

But the ex-England captain still looked very happy with himself after finding the net on Sunday.

Wayne Rooney scored early for England against a World XI in Sunday’s Soccer Aid game

Rooney found the net after just four minutes of play — the earliest goal in Soccer Aid history

Having ended up on the turf after shooting, Rooney initially celebrated by raising both of his hands in the air.

After being helped to his feet by Angry Ginge and Bella Ramsey, he hugged many of his team-mates before celebrating again with a clenched fist and a broad smile.

He then blew a kiss into the crowd. 

Rooney was not the only former England international on display on Sunday.

Joe Hart, Gary Neville, Jack Wilshere, Michael Carrick and former Lionesses star Jill Scott also started for the home team, decked out in a retro kit based on the Umbro number worn at the 2002 World Cup.

Meanwhile, England’s celebrity cohort included Louis Tomlinson, Paddy McGuinness, Alex Brooker, Steven Bartlett, Mo Farah and Tom Grennan.

Joining Van der Sar on the other side were the likes of Harry Kewell, Nemanja Vidic, Rivaldo, David Trezeguet and former boxer Tony Bellew.

Rivaldo came close to equalising midway through the first half when he flicked a lobbed effort over the head of Hart, only to be denied by a flying goal-line clearance from YouTuber Angry Ginge. 

Ex-England captain Rooney looked delighted after his goal, as he sat on the ground grinning

Rooney was then helped to his feet by celebrity team-mates Angry Ginge and Bella Ramsey 

England then went 2-0 up just before the break when former Everton, Man City, Barcelona and Lionesses winger Toni Duggan slotted past Van der Sar following a fine through pass by Carrick.

Van der Sar and Hart were replaced by celebrity keepers in the shape of comedian McGuinness and singer Nicky Byrne at half-time — two changes which inevitably resulted in goals galore.

Substitute Jermain Defoe fired England 3-0 in front, before former United striker Carlos Tevez pulled one back for the World XI.

Tevez — who infamously left Old Trafford to join Manchester City in 2009 — struck again on the hour mark and celebrated by cupping his ear to the crowd.

Defoe restored England’s two-goal advantage in the 65th minute when he became the highest scorer in Soccer Aid history. 

But Tevez continued his scoring frenzy, eventually taking his tally for the day to four goals before rapper and chef Big Zuu bagged a late winner to see the World XI prevail 5-4.

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Wayne Rooney makes Soccer Aid history as Man United legend, 39, rolls back the years by scoring past Edwin van der Sar at the Stretford End