Crystal Palace have secured their first-ever Community Shield triumph after a thrilling 3-2 penalty shootout win over Liverpool at Wembley Stadium.
The eagerly contested match saw both sides exchange leads in an action-packed 90 minutes before the Eagles held their nerve from the spot to claim the coveted trophy.
Liverpool started the encounter in perfect fashion, with Hugo Ekitike scoring his first goal for Liverpool just four minutes into the game.
However, the early advantage was short-lived as Jean-Philippe Mateta brought the Eagles level with a composed penalty finish 13 minutes later.
The seesaw battle continued when Jeremie Frimpong’s cross deceived Liverpool goalkeeper Dean Henderson to restore the Merseyside club’s lead at the 20-minute mark, a poignant moment coinciding with a tribute to the late Diogo Jota, who famously wore the number 20 shirt.
As the match progressed towards its latter stages, Crystal Palace fought back once more.
Ismaila Sarr’s stunning finish late in the second half ensured the scoreline was level heading into a tense penalty shootout. Both sides had chances during the spot-kick drama, but Palace held their nerve while Liverpool faltered.
Dean Henderson emerged as one of the key figures of the shootout, making crucial saves from Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister and Harvey Elliott after Mo Salah had missed his penalty by sending it over the bar.
Liverpool’s goalkeeper Alisson also played his part by saving Eberechi Eze’s spot-kick, and Borna Sosa struck the crossbar in the high-pressure shootout.
Ultimately, it was Crystal Palace who prevailed, marking a historic first Community Shield victory for the club.
The win adds to the Eagles’ recent silverware success, coming off the back of last season’s FA Cup triumph, and sets the tone for the new campaign with a statement of resilience and quality.
