Palace beat Liverpool on penalties to win the Community Shield After a 2-2 draw
Crystal Palace secured another historic Wembley triumph with a dramatic 3-2 penalty shoot-out victory over Liverpool in the 2025 Community Shield, following a thrilling 2-2 draw in normal time.
Just three months after lifting their first-ever major trophy; the FA Cup in May against Manchester City, the Eagles once again defied the odds, coming from behind twice before holding their nerve in the shoot-out.
Liverpool Strike First, Palace Respond
Liverpool’s summer transfer spending spree, totalling £265 million, seemed to be paying off early. New signings Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong both found the net, with Milos Kerkez and Florian Wirtz combining impressively in attack. Ekitike and Wirtz also missed chances that could have put the game beyond Palace’s reach.
But Palace refused to fold. A clumsy foul from Virgil van Dijk on Ismaila Sarr allowed Jean-Philippe Mateta to convert from the spot for the first equaliser. Later, Van Dijk’s lapse in positioning gave Adam Wharton the chance to set up Sarr for Palace’s second, which he buried off the post.
Chances, Controversy, and Close Calls
Palace pressed for a winner in normal time — Eberechi Eze forced a fine save from Alisson, and a potential penalty appeal for a handball by Alexis Mac Allister was waved away. Substitute Justin Devenny came agonisingly close in stoppage time, sending a low shot inches wide.
Henderson the Hero
In the shoot-out, Dean Henderson made two crucial saves, while Mohamed Salah uncharacteristically blazed over the bar. With the scores level in the shoot-out, Devenny stepped up and calmly buried the winning kick, sparking wild celebrations in the Palace end.
Victory Amid Uncertainty
The win came against the backdrop of ongoing tension with UEFA, which has demoted Palace from the Europa League to the Conference League over multi-club ownership concerns. The club’s appeal is due to be heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Monday, and Palace fans made their feelings known with banners protesting the decision.
For now, manager Oliver Glasner and his squad can revel in another famous Wembley night — and proof that Palace’s FA Cup glory was just the beginning of their new era.
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