16 England players came together this month to do battle from the comfort of their own homes for a new FIFA 20 tournament.
As part of our #FootballsStayingHome initiative, the group of internationals from the men’s, women’s and MU21 squads put their skills to the test on a virtual pitch via the popular video game.
The all-England player competition also helped to raise awareness for the National Emergencies Trust and their efforts to help those most affected by the Coronavirus outbreak.
And there were some thrilling games in the first round as Jadon Sancho edged out Marcus Rashford thanks to a goal from none other than Marcus Rashford, Max Aarons won the battle of the right-backs with a win over Trent Alexander-Arnold, Tammy Abraham came through the all-Chelsea clash against Callum Hudson-Odoi and the tie between two Coventry boys ended with James Maddison beating Callum Wilson.
If you missed the final four of the #FootballsStayingHome Cup, don't worry! 😅
— England (@England) April 26, 2020
Watch back to see how @ToddCantwell_10 claimed the crown ahead of @Sanchooo10, @Madders10 and @RyanSessegnon: https://t.co/GoFkf9slEE
That set up some intriguing quarter-finals this week, with Cantwell seeing off his Norwich City and England U21 team-mate Aarons, the Lionesses remaining representative Lucy Bronze lost against Spurs ace Ryan Sessegon, Maddison beat Abraham and Sancho edhed out Arsenal hitman Eddie Nketiah.
The semi-finals saw Cantwell knock out his former Norwich team-mate Maddison and Sancho beat Sessegnon to set up a final between Cantwell and Sancho.
And Cantwell lifted the title, after a 4-0 win over Sancho in the Final.
You can watch the games back on the media player above and below!
The full cast for the inaugural #FootballsStayingHome Cup included Lionesses trio Lucy Bronze, Jordan Nobbs and Ellie Roebuck, a Three Lions squad of Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Mason Mount, Callum Wilson, James Maddison, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Tammy Abraham as well as Young Lions Reiss Nelson, Todd Cantwell, Max Aarons, Eddie Nketiah and Ryan Sessegnon.
The opening round got underway across England’s Twitter and YouTube channels on Good Friday (10 April) with the action brought to life by leading esports commentators Brandon Smith and Richard Buckley and you can see how it progressed in the media player above. The latter rounds will now be played out across the course of next week.
The Results
Marcus Rashford 1-2 Jadon Sancho
Jordan Nobbs 0-4 Eddie Nketiah
Reiss Nelson 1-3 Ryan Sessegnon
Lucy Bronze 1-0 Ellie Roebuck
Trent Alexander-Arnold 1-3 Max Aarons
Todd Cantwell 5-0 Mason Mount
Tammy Abraham 5-2 Callum Hudson-Odoi
Callum Wilson 2-3 James Maddison
Quarter-final results
Jadon Sancho 3-1 Eddie Nketiah
Ryan Sessegnon 6-1 Lucy Bronze
Max Aarons 3-4 Todd Cantwell
Tammy Abraham 2-3 James Maddison
Semi-final results
Jadon Sancho 4-2 Ryan Sessegnon
Todd Cantwell 7-1 James Maddison
The Final
Todd Cantwell 4-0 Jadon Sancho
5-0 🆚 @masonmount_10
— England (@England) April 26, 2020
4-3 🆚 @maxaarons2
7-1 🆚 @Madders10
4-0 🆚 @Sanchooo10
A brilliant run from @ToddCantwell_10 to win the #FootballsStayingHome Cup! Here's what he had to say about his victory: pic.twitter.com/B5e7YNDBN9
As well as providing an opportunity to reiterate important Government advice to stay home, protect the NHS and save lives, the tournament shone a spotlight on the National Emergencies Trust.
Working with a network of 50 community foundations across the UK, the National Emergencies Trust raises and distributes money to charities providing support to those most in need at a local level. It provides the public with reassurances that that the funds will only be channelled through trusted and reputable organisations in a fair and effective manner.
Viewers of the #FootballsStayingHome Cup have the opportunity to do what they can to support the National Emergencies Trust, be that through donating or sharing the campaign via dowhatyoucan.net. The National Emergencies Trust can also be found on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Watch here:
