Football stars battle for charity

Rome - The Pupi beat Scholas 6-3 in the Match for Peace, an inter-religion game organised by Pope Francis on Monday in Rome.

Football legends and active aces faced off in the game at the Stadio Olimpico, where gate revenues were to be donated to charity. Pope Francis met with a large group of footballers ahead of the match, though he did not attend.

Juan Iturbe scored the opening goal for Scholas, followed by Roberto Baggio off a feed by Diego Maradona in an action between former number 10 players.

Andriy Shevchenko pulled one back for Pupi in the second half, Mauro Icardi levelled, and a Tomer Hemed header reversed for the Scholas' 3-2 lead. Shevchenko scored again for Scholas, and Roque Santa Cruz made it 4-3, but Tomer Hemed and Icardi scored again for the final 6-3 score.

Maradona said he "played 90 minutes and felt a little tired, as I am 53. It is the pope's game, but I do not like to have lost."