Date & Venue:
August 10, 2025 – Wembley Stadium, London witnessed the 103rd FA Community Shield, a high-voltage clash between Premier League champions Liverpool and FA Cup winners Crystal Palace.
Match Summary
Liverpool started in dominant fashion, racing to a 2–0 lead within the first 20 minutes.
- Hugo Ekitike, the Reds’ new signing, opened the scoring early with a calm finish.
- Jeremie Frimpong doubled the advantage soon after with a clinical strike.
However, Crystal Palace refused to bow down.
- Jean-Philippe Mateta converted a penalty just before halftime to pull one back.
- In the 79th minute, Ismaïla Sarr struck the equaliser, sending the Palace fans into wild celebration.
The game ended 2–2 in regulation time, leading to a tense penalty shootout.
The Shootout Drama
In the shootout, Dean Henderson emerged as the hero for Crystal Palace:
- Saved crucial penalties from Alexis Mac Allister and Harvey Elliott.
- Liverpool also saw a rare miss from Mohamed Salah.
For Palace, youngster Justin Devenny held his nerve to score the decisive spot-kick, sealing a 3–2 victory on penalties.
Historic Win for Palace
- This was Crystal Palace’s first-ever Community Shield title.
- The victory comes just months after their FA Cup triumph, marking a golden period for the club under manager Oliver Glasner.
Key Moments & Players
- Ekitike’s debut goal showcased Liverpool’s attacking firepower.
- Florian Wirtz, another big summer signing, impressed with creativity but couldn’t inspire a win.
- Palace’s fighting spirit and Henderson’s big-match mentality proved decisive.
What This Means
- For Crystal Palace: This win cements their status as genuine contenders for major honours and boosts team confidence heading into the Premier League season.
- For Liverpool: Despite a £300m summer rebuild, the defeat highlights defensive lapses and the need for stronger game management.
Final Score:
- Crystal Palace 2 – (Mateta 45′ pen, Sarr 79′)
- Liverpool 2 – (Ekitike 7′, Frimpong 18′)
- Penalties: Crystal Palace 3–2 Liverpool