Bhutia scores equaliser as superstars play for charity

The score remained unimportant as football superstars from around the world came together for a charity match in Lisbon,and Indias Bhaichung Bhutia managed to get his name on the scoreboard,scoring the equaliser for the Zidane XI team. The game was organised by the United Nations Development Fund in collaboration with French legend Zidane and Brazils Ronaldo to aid relief efforts in quake-ravaged Haiti. Thousands packed the Stadium of Light in Lisbon to watch Real Madrid player Kaka,Frenchmen Robert Pires and Theirry Henry,Portugals Luis Figo and Haiti international Jean Soni among others in Zidanes team play out a 3-3 draw with Benfica All Stars XI.

Kaka opened the scoring,picking up the ball just outside the penalty area,dribbling past the defence and keeper Luciano to give his team the lead. Soon after,Benfica scored two goals through Nuno Gomes,the first one after being sent through one on one,and the other after the ball was squared to him inside the box,allowing him to kick the ball home from 5 yards.

In the second half,Zidane himself produced one of those moments of magic for which he was renowned around the world before retirement,going past his marker in trademark style on the left before cutting the ball back to Pires,who fired it in. Eder Luis made it 3-2 after around an hour,when he received the ball just outside the box,and calmly sent it past Fabien Barthez to restore Benficas lead.

Bhutia came on as a second half substitute and six minutes before the end,he was played in by Christophe Dugarry. The striker produced a controlled finish from a tight angle to make the score 3-3.