Crystal Palace stunned the football world on August 10, 2025, clinching their first-ever Community Shield in a dramatic penalty shootout against Premier League champions Liverpool after an electrifying 2-2 draw at Wembley Stadium. The Eagles, buoyed by their FA Cup triumph just months earlier, twice clawed back from behind before emerging victorious 3-2 in a nail-biting shootout, cementing their place in English football folklore.
The match was set against a poignant backdrop for Liverpool, following the tragic death of forward Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva in a car accident on July 3. Wembley was awash with emotion prior to kick-off, as Reds legend Ian Rush and Palace chairman Steve Parish laid wreaths on the pitch. Liverpool’s players donned shirts emblazoned with a ‘Forever 20’ emblem, a tribute to Jota’s now-retired shirt number, a symbol they’ll carry throughout the season. The minute’s silence, however, was marred by disturbances from a small section of the Palace support, cutting short what should have been a moment of unity and respect.
When the action began, it was Liverpool’s new-look side that seized the initiative. All eyes were on the club’s summer signings, and they wasted little time showing their worth. Just four minutes in, Hugo Ekitike, fresh from his £69 million move from Eintracht Frankfurt, opened his Liverpool account in style. Florian Wirtz, another marquee signing, found Ekitike with a clever pass at the edge of the area. The Frenchman spun onto the ball and fired low into the far corner, giving Dean Henderson no chance and sending the Liverpool end into early celebration.
Palace, making their debut in the Community Shield, refused to be overawed. Their response was swift and clinical. In the 17th minute, Ismaila Sarr burst into the box and was brought down by Virgil van Dijk, leaving referee Chris Kavanagh with no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Jean-Philippe Mateta, who had missed a crucial penalty in the FA Cup final, showed nerves of steel to send Alisson Becker the wrong way and level the scores.
Yet Liverpool’s attacking verve under new manager Arne Slot was on full display. Just three minutes after conceding, Jeremie Frimpong—another summer recruit—delivered what appeared to be a cross from the right flank. Instead, the ball looped over Henderson and nestled into the far corner, restoring Liverpool’s lead in bizarre but fitting fashion as the stadium paid tribute to Jota in the 20th minute. “We were on the same level as Liverpool and it was a big performance. I’m proud of the team,” Palace boss Oliver Glasner later remarked, underlining the magnitude of the occasion for his players.
The second half began with Liverpool looking to press their advantage, but Ekitike squandered a golden chance to double his tally, firing over from another Wirtz assist. Palace, undeterred, continued to threaten, with Eberechi Eze forcing a sharp save from Alisson on the hour mark. The match ebbed and flowed, both sides probing for a decisive breakthrough. Liverpool’s midfield, marshaled by Curtis Jones, was tidy and composed—Jones himself set a new Community Shield record by completing all 53 of his passes, the highest number without a single miss since data collection began in 2004-05.
But Liverpool’s defensive frailties, evident in pre-season, resurfaced as the clock ticked down. In the 77th minute, Adam Wharton threaded a precise through ball to Ismaila Sarr, who raced clear and slotted home via the inside of the post for his fourth goal in seven games against the Reds. The equaliser sent the Palace faithful into raptures and set the stage for a tense finale. Palace even had a penalty shout late on, but after a VAR review, no handball was given against Alexis Mac Allister.
With no extra time in the Community Shield, the match went straight to penalties. The shootout was a rollercoaster of nerves and drama. Mohamed Salah, enduring a rare off-day, blazed Liverpool’s opening spot-kick over the bar—a moment that seemed to encapsulate his afternoon, having managed just one shot on target and failing to create a single chance during the match. Dean Henderson, Palace’s cup hero, then denied both Mac Allister and Harvey Elliott with superb saves, while Mateta and Sarr converted confidently for Palace. Eze’s effort was stopped by Alisson, and Borna Sosa rattled the crossbar, leaving the outcome hanging in the balance.
Ultimately, it was Palace substitute Justin Devenny who stepped up with ice in his veins, blasting the decisive penalty high past Alisson to spark wild celebrations among the Eagles’ players and supporters. “We’ve shown we can compete with the very best,” said Glasner, his side having now added the Community Shield to their growing trophy cabinet after their maiden FA Cup win in May.
For Liverpool, the defeat marked a slice of unwanted history: it was the first time the club had lost twice at Wembley in the same calendar year, following their EFL Cup final loss to Newcastle United earlier in 2025. The disappointment was compounded by the fact that a win would have drawn them level with Arsenal’s record of 17 Community Shield triumphs. Despite the loss, there were bright spots—Wirtz’s creative spark in the first half, Ekitike’s clinical debut goal, and Jones’s immaculate passing display offered hope for the season ahead. But questions remain about the team’s defensive balance and ability to cope with adversity, especially after such a tumultuous summer off the pitch.
Palace’s triumph, meanwhile, is a testament to their resilience and growing stature under Glasner. Having now beaten two of England’s giants in showpiece finals in the space of three months, the Eagles are no longer outsiders—they’re a force to be reckoned with. Their passionate supporters, who lit up Wembley with banners and flares (and a pointed ‘UEFA mafia’ message referencing their European demotion), will savor this historic victory for years to come.
As the new season dawns, both teams will take lessons from this dramatic encounter. Liverpool, despite their summer spending spree and attacking promise, have work to do to recapture their defensive solidity. Palace, brimming with confidence and silverware, will look to build on their momentum and challenge the established order once more. The curtain has risen on English football’s new campaign—and if this is any indication, fans are in for a wild ride.
