
Westlife star Nicky Byrne makes incredible Soccer Aid double save… then somehow avoids red card moments later
The singing sensation was straight into the action
TIME OF HIS LIFE Westlife star Nicky Byrne makes incredible Soccer Aid double save… then somehow avoids red card moments later
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
WESTLIFE star Nicky Byrne made a sensational double save to deny Jermain Defoe and Steven Bartlett at Soccer Aid.
But just moments later the Irishman could have been sent off for a clear handball.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
2
Any use of this image other than in an editorial context to promote Soccer Aid for UNICEF, for any purpose whatsoever including advertising and commercial usage, will require a separate prior agreement in writing from UNICEF, the copyright holder and, in some cases, the person or persons depicted in the image, and on occasion the […]
Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
2
Steven Bartlett shoots at goal
Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
The Irishman, 46, came on for former Manchester United stopper Edwin van der Sar between the sticks at half-time.
And the hitmaker was immediately called into action.
England star Aaron Lennon rolled back the years to race down the right flank before squaring for former Tottenham team-mate Jermain Defoe.
The legendary striker looked certain to score... only to be denied by Byrne's legs.
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
'I heard it go' Tony Bellew forced off with nasty injury just five minutes into Soccer Aid
Bartlett, 32, pounced on the rebound, but Byrne pounced up to deny the entrepreuneur.
Barely a minute later, Defoe had another chance to score - sparking a moment of controversy.
With Byrne having raced miles off his line, Defoe looked to flick the ball beyond the stopper.
The Westlife star instinctively blocked the ball with his arm - sparking complaints from the England front man.
Prem ref Rebecca Welch immediately blew her whistle, but only brandished a yellow card, much to Byrne's relief.
THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..
The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Sam Thompson and Louis Tomlinson arrive back at their Soccer Aid hotel following England's loss - after narrowly avoiding each other on the pitch
Sam Thompson and Louis Tomlinson could no longer avoid running into each other as they both arrived back at their Soccer Aid hotel following England's loss on Sunday. The charity match at Old Trafford saw rapper Big Zuu score the winning goal at Soccer Aid to handing the World XI a 4-5 win, with a whopping £15M raised for Unicef. Sam, 32, and Louis, 33, who played on the English squad reportedly held a 'peace dinner' before the match to 'ease awkwardness' over Louis, 33, dating Sam's ex Zara McDermott, 28. Despite the loss both appeared in high spirits despite the loss as they and their teammates were greeted with cheers from waiting fans. While the I'm A Celeb champ wore a stylish grey tracksuit and shades, Louis was still dressed in his football kit. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. The charity match at Old Trafford saw rapper Big Zuu score the winning goal at Soccer Aid to handing the World XI a 4-5 win, with a whopping £15M raised for Unicef (Louis pictured) During the game the pair managed to avoid an awkward on pitch run-in amid their tangled love lives. Sam, 32, who had been forced to pull out of playing after he suffered a string of injuries, including a calf injury, after his 260-mile challenge, made a surprise last minute appearance during the final moments of the game. He was called onto the pitch, only after Louis had left, meaning they avoided coming face-to-face in front of the huge crowd. The pair's dinner reportedly took place at Champneys in Tring, Herts with their other teammates in a bid to keep the peace ahead of the big game. A source told The Sun: 'There is no beef between the pair and they're both going to ensure their love lives don't distract from such a big charity spectacle. 'They are fully aware that their every move is being scrutinised and they've broken bread with their teammates, so it'll be smooth sailing on the day.' Instead of playing the game, Sam been helping from the sidelines as a coach after getting injured. Opening up about his injury, he spoke to This Morning hosts Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary. Despite the loss both appeared in high spirits despite the loss as they and their teammates were greeted with cheers from waiting fans Sam, 32, and Louis, 33, who played on the English squad reportedly held a 'peace dinner' before the match to 'ease awkwardness' over Louis, 33, dating Sam's ex Zara McDermott , 28. He said: 'I'm still very sore, still got the torn calf, however I am here at Soccer Aid HQ and it does not get better than this. 'We've still got the management team of England, we've got Vicky McClure, Tyson Fury, who's stepping into some new shoes and Harry Redknapp...' He continued: 'But also because I'm not going to be able to run around, you've also got me, part of the management team. Come on baby!' Late last year Sam split with former Love Island star Zara after five years together. It was then revealed in March how Zara had moved on with former One Direction singer Louis. During an episode of their podcast last month, Pete Wicks, 37, teased Sam about the prospect of the potentially awkward encounter between him and Louis. The TOWIE star asked his co-host: 'You're really going through it with the whole f****** body and dieting and training loads. Is that for Soccer Aid?' But, not dropping the subject, Pete then asked: 'Any kind of people in there who you're looking forward to playing with?' 'Loads,' Sam laughed: 'Tom Grennan. I'm really looking forward to playing alongside Wayne Rooney, Tyson Fury's the manager. I can't wait'. Pete joked: 'I mean that's gonna be f****** amazing. Make sure you get him on side though because you may need him in your corner in case you fall out with anyone. Not that you will but just in case there's any rivalries or anything. 'You know, you have to train together and it's a lot, you know when you're kind of in close quarters with someone like that. All sorts gets brought up. Anyway...'


North Wales Chronicle
4 hours ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Sam Thompson joins final minutes of Soccer Aid charity match as England player
The Made In Chelsea star had said he could not play for the England team after being injured while completing the Match Ball Mission running and cycling challenge, which raised more than £2 million for Unicef. But Thompson made it on for the last few minutes of the charity match, broadcast live on ITV, which also saw Hollywood's Julia Roberts chatting to Wayne Rooney and Dermot O'Leary apologising to viewers for a Tyson Fury 'f-bomb'. The match at Old Trafford, which sees an England team of former professionals and celebrities take on Soccer Aid World XI FC, raised more than £15 million for the aid organisation. The I'm a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! winner injured his calf during his challenge where he transported the Soccer Aid match ball from last year's stadium, Chelsea's Stamford Bridge, to Old Trafford. On Friday, he announced that he would no longer be able to play and instead join the management team alongside Fury, however minutes before the final whistle, Thompson joined the Old Trafford pitch as a player. Before Sunday's match, O'Leary 'profusely' apologised to ITV viewers after the heavyweight champion swore live on air while giving the England team a pre-match talk in the locker rooms. He said: 'Let them know how good we are. We are England. We are f****** Spartans. We are Spartans.' Presenters Alex Scott and O'Leary apologised afterwards, with Scott saying: 'What can I say about Tyson Fury? We do apologise for the swearing, but it is Tyson Fury, we don't know what's going to happen.' O'Leary added: 'We do profusely apologise.' The game ended with a 5-4 win for the Soccer Aid World XI team, with the final goal being scored by rapper and TV chef Big Zuu. Among his teammates who joined him to celebrate was former Argentina and Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez, who scored four goals for the World XI. Prior to lifting the trophy in the air, singer Robbie Williams – who co-founded the charity game in 2006 – announced this year's had raised £15,280,163. Pretty Woman-star Roberts, who has described herself as a 'true fan' of Manchester United, was seen taking photographs at Old Trafford, smiling next to the former England striker Rooney, who, minutes into the game, scored the first goal for England. Among the England team line-up alongside Rooney were former One Direction singer Louis Tomlinson and Olympic gold-medallist Sir Mo Farah. Last Of Us star Bella Ramsey also joined this year's England team along with comedian Paddy McGuinness, former Manchester United player Gary Neville and singer Tom Grennan. Last year, the match ended with a 6-3 win for England, with the Three Lions taking home the win for the first time in six years. Since the fundraising match was first founded nearly two decades ago, it has raised more than £106 million.


Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Sam Thompson narrowly avoids awkward on pitch run-in with Louis Tomlinson at Soccer Aid - after pair held 'peace dinner' in a bid to 'ease awkwardness' over Zara McDermott
Sam Thompson narrowly avoided an awkward on pitch run-in with Louis Tomlinson at Soccer Aid's annual Charity Match at Old Trafford on Sunday - which saw rapper Big Zuu score the winning goal at Soccer Aid to hand the World XI. The pair have been training together as part of the England team and reportedly held a 'peace dinner' before the match to 'ease awkwardness' over Louis, 33, dating Sam's ex Zara McDermott, 28. Sam, 32, who had been forced to pull out of playing after he suffered a string of injuries, including a calf injury, after his 260-mile challenge, made a surprise last minute appearance during the final moments of the game. The I'm A Celeb champ was called onto the pitch, only after Louis had left, meaning they avoided coming face-to-face in front of the huge crowd Soccer Aid 2025 saw £15million raised for charity as this year's edition lived up to the extensive pre-match billings from fans and celebrities alike. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Sam and Louis' dinner reportedly took place at Champneys in Tring, Herts with their other teammates in a bid to keep the peace ahead of the big game. A source told The Sun: 'There is no beef between the pair and they're both going to ensure their love lives don't distract from such a big charity spectacle. 'They are fully aware that their every move is being scrutinised and they've broken bread with their teammates, so it'll be smooth sailing on the day.' Instead of playing the game, Sam been helping from the sidelines as a coach after getting injured. Opening up about his injury, he spoke to This Morning hosts Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary. He said: 'I'm still very sore, still got the torn calf, however I am here at Soccer Aid HQ and it does not get better than this. 'We've still got the management team of England, we've got Vicky McClure, Tyson Fury, who's stepping into some new shoes and Harry Redknapp...' He continued: 'But also because I'm not going to be able to run around, you've also got me, part of the management team. Come on baby!' The I'm A Celeb was called on to the pitch, only after Louis had left, meaning they avoided coming face-to-face in front of the huge crowd A source said: 'There is no beef between the pair and they're both going to ensure their love lives don't distract from such a big charity spectacle' Late last year Sam split with former Love Island star Zara after five years together. It was then revealed in March how Zara had moved on with former One Direction singer Louis. During an episode of their podcast last month, Pete Wicks, 37, teased Sam about the prospect of the potentially awkward encounter between him and Louis. The TOWIE star asked his co-host: 'You're really going through it with the whole f****** body and dieting and training loads. Is that for Soccer Aid?' But, not dropping the subject, Pete then asked: 'Any kind of people in there who you're looking forward to playing with?' 'Loads,' Sam laughed: 'Tom Grennan. I'm really looking forward to playing alongside Wayne Rooney, Tyson Fury's the manager. I can't wait'. Pete joked: 'I mean that's gonna be f****** amazing. Make sure you get him on side though because you may need him in your corner in case you fall out with anyone. Not that you will but just in case there's any rivalries or anything. 'You know, you have to train together and it's a lot, you know when you're kind of in close quarters with someone like that. All sorts gets brought up. Anyway...'