Recap: Eden Hazard & Thierry Henry Shine in Chaotic Charity Match as Diego Costa Turns Back the Clock in Doha
A star-studded charity match in Qatar showcased the skills of Eden Hazard, Thierry Henry, and Diego Costa, offering nostalgia and chaos in equal measure.
Eden Hazard, Thierry Henry and Diego Costa turned back the clock with the latter scoring a spectacular long-range strike as a star-studded charity match in Qatar delivered goals, nostalgia and chaos in equal measure.The 37-year-old, who has been without a club since 2024 and has yet to formally announce his retirement, opened the scoring with a stunning 25-yard effort during the latest edition of the Match for Hope. Despite his prolonged absence from competitive football, the former Spain international showed flashes of the aggression and power that defined his peak years.Costa lined up alongside Eden Hazard, rekindling memories of their successful partnership at Chelsea between 2014 and 2017, with the Belgian operating off his left flank. Arsene Wenger took charge of the side, dubbed Team Chunkz, which also featured Real Madrid legend Marcelo, a number of former professionals and a collection of online personalities, including I’m A Celebrity winner AngryGinge. The match was played at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium.Opposition came in the form of Roberto Di Matteo’s Team Aboflah, led by Thierry Henry and supported by Franck Ribery, Tim Cahill and Gerard Pique. The match quickly descended into a frenetic, light-hearted spectacle, with the competitive edge softened by moments of outright comedy.One of the most talked-about incidents involved social media star Bilal Fadili and YouTuber KSI. After KSI knocked the ball past him, Fadili leapt onto the rapper’s shoulders and launched him to the ground with a wrestling-style manoeuvre reminiscent of WWE. The referee opted to play on, and seconds later the ball fell to Costa, whose thunderous effort caught YouTuber goalkeeper David Vujanic off guard and flew into the net.Team Aboflah responded with Henry at the heart of their attacking play, the former Arsenal striker still showing sharp movement as he drove into the box before being halted by a sliding tackle from influencer Marlon. Henry soon had his moment, delivering a delicate free-kick that Cahill nodded home to reduce the deficit.The match swung wildly from end to end. Team Chunkz surged into a 4-1 lead through goals from YouTuber Mark Rober, Hazard and Eman SV2, only for Ribery to inspire a comeback. The Frenchman set up one goal and scored another himself, before Henry provided the assist for YouTuber Taiyo to level the score at 4-4. Chunkz then restored his side’s advantage just before the break to make it 5-4 at half-time.The second half offered no let-up. Four goals arrived in the opening 16 minutes, including Costa’s second of the match and a penalty converted by MrBeast. In keeping with the tone of the occasion, the YouTube star even attempted to offer the goalkeeper a briefcase full of money to step aside before taking the spot-kick, though the referee blew his whistle before any deal could be struck.Hazard and Marcelo combined once more to extend Team Chunkz’s lead to 8-6, and although their opponents pulled one back through a rebound finished by Channel 4 presenter Harry Pinero, Wenger’s side held on to win.Looking for smarter football bets? Get expert previews, data-driven predictions & winning insights with GOAL Tips on Telegram. Join our growing community now!The Match for Hope is now in its third edition following its launch in 2024 and is believed to have raised more than £15 million for disadvantaged children across Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Pre-match and half-time entertainment was provided by The Chainsmokers and the Jonas Brothers.Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingAfter another thrilling game in Doha, celebrities and ex-pros alike will head home until next year, when the Match for Hope is sure to return.
The Legends Shine
Eden Hazard, Thierry Henry, and Diego Costa stole the show at the latest edition of the Match for Hope in Qatar. Despite age and time away from competitive football, these stars proved their class with memorable performances.
Diego Costa's Spectacular Strike
Diego Costa, the 37-year-old striker without a club since 2024, proved he still has what it takes by scoring a sensational long-range goal that showcased his enduring talent and power.
Nostalgia and Comedy Collide
The match, led by Arsene Wenger and Roberto Di Matteo, featured a mix of former professionals and online personalities, creating a light-hearted and comedic atmosphere. From WWE-style moves to penalty kick antics, the game had it all.
Exciting Back-and-Forth Action
The match swung back and forth, with Team Chunkz initially dominating before Team Aboflah mounted a spirited comeback. Goals flew in from both sides, showcasing the competitive spirit and entertainment value of the charity event.
A Successful Fundraiser
The Match for Hope, now in its third edition, has raised over £15 million for disadvantaged children across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. The event not only entertains but also contributes significantly to meaningful causes.




