Dominic Cooper - Cooper's Shame Over Soccer Blunder

DOMINIC COOPER was left red-faced when he tried to fulfil his dream of becoming a star soccer player - he fluffed his chance in front of thousands of fans.

The Mamma Mia! star was taking part in Britain's Soccer Aid event, which raises money for Unicef, and was relishing the opportunity to finally play the sport inside a packed stadium.

He was brought on as a substitute midway through the game in Manchester, England in June (10) - but humiliated himself in front of the 70,000-strong crowd by bungling his big moment.

He tells Empire magazine, "It was a painful experience. The ball was miles up in the air and everything went silent. It was like a film, and I went to volley it... and it hit my kneecap. It was pathetic. It never works like that in the films."