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On Saturday afternoon the Coca-Cola Company together with Special Olympics proudly shared in a historic moment as 16 Special Olympics athletes, football legends and celebrities took to the pitch at Cape Town Stadium for the inaugural Special Olympics Unity Cup Presented by Coca-Cola, held just prior to the Germany vs. Argentina FIFA World Cup quarterfinal match.

Keeping with the theme of "unity" the match fittingly ended in a 2-2 draw. The two teams - named "Special Stars" and "Happiness United" - enjoyed a 20-minute match on the FIFA World Cup stadium pitch, which both Coca-Cola and Special Olympics executives hailed as the beginning of an incredible journey together.

"This was an incredible event and just the beginning," said Timothy P. Shriver, chairman and CEO of Special Olympics. "The world is hungry for unity as was seen first-hand with this match. People were brought together as one on this field and it just shows the incredible power of sport to bring people together. It also marks a big turning point in our relationship with our long-time partner Coca-Cola."

Since the establishment of Special Olympics in 1968, The Coca-Cola Company has been an Official Global Partner. Coca-Cola supports the movement in an effort to showcase the dignity and capacity of people with intellectual disabilities on a global stage. The Coca-Cola Company is a FIFA Partner and has had a formal association with the governing body for world football since 1974 and has been an official sponsor of every FIFA World Cup since 1978.

"We are excited to take this journey with Special Olympics, because it helps companies like ours to help in a meaningful way to create sustainable communities, and when we create sustainable communities we know we will have a sustainable business," said Muhtar Kent, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Coca-Cola Company. "This is the beginning of a journey; an exciting journey."

During the journey of the first-ever Unity Cup, all four goals in the match were scored by Special Olympics athletes. The first goal was scored by Manolis Tampakakis of Special Olympics Greece. Maicon Santana of Special Olympics Brazil then scored to tie the match at 1-1. Special Olympics Slovenia athlete Miran Brejc scored to put the "Special Stars" up 2-1. At the end of the match, Special Olympics Algeria athlete Yacine Zabi had his back to the goal, and leaped for an incredible scissor kick to score for "Happiness United" and tie the match for a final 2-2 draw.

When asked after the match who was the player of the day, Kent replied - "It was a player called unity."

The match featured an incredible roster of celebrities and football legends who participated alongside 16 Special

Olympics athletes who hailed from all over the world. Shriver and Kent both participated in the match, as well as the following celebrities:

• His Excellency, President Jacob G. Zuma, of South Africa
• Zhang Ziyi, Chinese actress and Special Olympics Global Ambassador
• Dikembe Mutombo, NBA legend and Global Ambassador
• Enrique Borja, Mexican striker for Mexican National team from 1966-1975
• Teofilo Cubillas, South American Player of the Year
• Desiree Ellis, former captain of South Africa's National Women's Football Team and FIFA Ambassador for 2010
• Lorrie Fair, first American women to play in Premier Women's League and played on USA World Cup Championship Team in 1999
• Christian Kerembeu, player on France national team from 1992-2002 and on FIFA World Cup Championship team
• Hidetoshi Nakata, Asia Player of the Year, AC Roma
• Lucas Radebe, former Leeds and South African player; former South African National Football Team captain
• Clarence Seedorf, of AC Milan
• Steve Sumner, former New Zealand ‘All Whites' captain
• Chris Kamara, former Leeds footballer and current Sky Sports broadcaster
• Lawrie McNenemy, Special Olympics Great Britain Chairman and former legendary English football manager