![Former Arsenal star Jack Wilshere passes the ball at Soccer Aid](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/GettyImages-2156806096.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&zoom=1&resize=644%2C429)
Jack Wilshere rolled back the years with an exquisite assist to set up Ellen White’s first-half equaliser for England against the World XI at Soccer Aid – embarrassing his ex-Arsenal team-mate Petr Cech in the process.
England, co-managed by Frank Lampard, Harry Redknapp, Vicky McClure and Robbie Williams, got off to the perfect start as ex-Chelsea and England winger Joe Cole opened the scoring on his return to Stamford Bridge.
Eden Hazard found an equaliser just moments later, beating David James with a dipping free-kick, before 100m world-record holder Usain Bolt helped set up Alessandro Del Piero to put the World XI in front.
But White, the Lionesses’ all-time leading goalscorer, ensured the two teams went into half-time break with the score level, latching onto a sublime Wilshere assist to become the first female goalscorer in Soccer Aid history.
After some fine play by Cole, Wilshere sat Cech down with a deft touch to the goalkeeper’s left before putting the ball on a plate for White, who made no mistake from close range.
A beaming White immediately went over to Wilshere to celebrate the goal with the former England midfielder, a two-time FA Cup winner with Arsenal, with the goal leaving the match finely poised heading into the second period.
At the half-time break, Jermaine Jenas hailed White’s historic goal as a ‘big, big moment’ and labelled Wilshere’s play in the build-up ‘a joke’.
‘This is what Ellen has done her whole life,’ the ex-Tottenham and England midfielder said on ITV’s coverage of the match.
‘She just stuck it in the back of the net.
![Ellen White celebrates with Joe Cole](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/client-mu-plugins/metro-branding/images/fallback.png)
‘The quality from Jack is a joke but how many times have you seen her just there.
‘Sam Thompson’s at the back post trying to steal it! He’s desperate! But Ellen says: “This is mine!”
‘It’s a big, big moment, let’s be honest. It’s huge.’
.
.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.