Crystal Palace Stun Liverpool To Win 2025 FA Community Shield In Dramatic Penalty Shootout.
In a thrilling curtain-raiser to the 2025-26 English football season, Crystal Palace claimed the FA Community Shield with a 3-2 penalty shootout victory over Premier League champions Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on Sunday. The match, which ended 2-2 after 90 minutes, showcased Palace’s resilience and goalkeeper Dean Henderson’s heroics, as they overcame a star-studded Liverpool side to lift their first-ever Community Shield.
The game began with Liverpool asserting early dominance, as new signing Hugo Ekitike announced his arrival in style. Just four minutes in, the £50 million forward linked up with debutant Florian Wirtz, spinning on the edge of the box to fire a powerful side-footed shot into the far corner past Henderson. The travelling Kop erupted, sensing a dominant performance from Arne Slot’s revamped Reds.
However, Crystal Palace, fresh off their FA Cup triumph last season, refused to be overawed. In the 17th minute, a swift counter-attack saw Ismaila Sarr tripped by Virgil van Dijk in the penalty area, prompting referee Chris Kavanagh to point to the spot. Jean-Philippe Mateta stepped up, coolly dispatching the penalty to level the score at 1-1. The Eagles’ vocal supporters roared their approval, sensing an upset was possible.
Liverpool regained the lead in the 21st minute through another debutant, Jeremie Frimpong. The former Bayer Leverkusen full-back, known for his attacking flair, sent a speculative cross from the right that looped over Henderson and nestled into the net. The goal, clocked at 20 minutes and 20 seconds, coincided poignantly with a tribute from Liverpool fans to their late striker Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, adding an emotional layer to the moment.
The first half ended with Liverpool leading 2-1, but Palace’s tenacity kept them in the contest. Alisson Becker was called into action to deny Mateta in a one-on-one before the equalizer, while Sarr narrowly missed connecting with a dangerous cross from Daniel Munoz.
The second half saw both teams trade chances. Ekitike missed two golden opportunities for Liverpool, heading wide from close range and curling a shot off-target. At the other end, Alisson stood tall, thwarting headers from Chris Richards and Eberechi Eze. But Palace’s persistence paid off in the 77th minute when Adam Wharton’s incisive through ball found Sarr, who slotted past Alisson with a clinical finish that kissed the post on its way in. Wembley erupted as Palace drew level at 2-2, setting the stage for a dramatic finale.
With no extra time in the Community Shield, the match proceeded straight to penalties. Liverpool’s star-studded lineup faltered under pressure, with Mohamed Salah firing over, Alexis Mac Allister and Harvey Elliott both denied by Henderson’s brilliant saves. Alisson kept Liverpool in it by stopping Eze’s attempt, but Palace’s substitute Justin Devenny held his nerve, firing the decisive penalty into the top corner to secure a 3-2 shootout win. The Eagles’ bench and fans exploded in celebration, marking a historic moment for the club.
“It’s incredible to beat Liverpool,” said Henderson, named Player of the Match for his shootout heroics. “They were the favorites, but we’ve shown what we’re capable of. Winning two trophies in three months is a remarkable moment for this club.”
For Liverpool, the defeat was a bitter pill for new manager Arne Slot, who fielded four summer signings—Ekitike, Frimpong, Wirtz, and Milos Kerkez—in the starting lineup. Despite their promising performances, the Reds’ penalty misses proved costly. “We dominated large parts of the game, but football is about key moments,” Slot reflected. “We’ll learn from this and move forward.”
Palace’s victory adds to their growing reputation under Oliver Glasner, who guided them to FA Cup glory last season. The Eagles now head into their Premier League opener against Chelsea with momentum, while Liverpool will look to bounce back when they face Bournemouth in their title defense.
**Match Facts:**
– **Crystal Palace XI**: Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Wharton (Lerma 85), Kamada (Hughes 29), Mitchell (Sosa 79); Sarr, Mateta, Eze (Devenny 90+4).
**Goals**: Mateta 17’ (pen), Sarr 77’.
– **Liverpool XI**: Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez (Robertson 84); Jones (Endo 71), Szoboszlai, Salah, Wirtz (Elliott 84), Gakpo, Ekitike (Mac Allister 71).
**Goals**: Ekitike 4’, Frimpong 21’.
– **Penalties**: Crystal Palace 3-2 (Devenny decisive; Salah, Mac Allister, Elliott miss for Liverpool).
– **Venue**: Wembley Stadium, London.
– **Referee**: Chris Kavanagh.
This historic triumph for Crystal Palace, their first Community Shield title, signals their intent to compete with the Premier League’s elite. For Liverpool, it’s a reminder that even a squad brimming with talent must seize critical moments to claim silverware. As the season kicks off, both sides have set the tone for what promises to be an exhilarating campaign.
