Crystal Palace secured the 2025 FA Community Shield courtesy of a 3-2 penalty triumph over Liverpool at Wembley on Sunday, rebounding twice during regulation before triumphing in the shoot-out.
The Cup victors engineered the spot-kick decider with Ismaila Sarr’s equaliser, delivered in the 77th minute to neutralise the advantage generated by the reigning league champions. Jean-Philippe Mateta had earlier restored parity for Palace from the penalty mark in the opening period.
Liverpool struck first in the fourth minute through new signing Hugo Ekitike, who finished off a move that started deep in their own half. Milos Kerkez and Florian Wirtz combined well before Wirtz slipped the ball to Ekitike, who found the net.
Palace responded in the 17th minute when Virgil van Dijk fouled Sarr in the box. Mateta converted calmly for his 47th goal for the club.
Liverpool regained the lead four minutes later. Jeremie Frimpong, another summer arrival, saw a cross loop over Dean Henderson and in. Ekitike missed two chances early in the second half that could have extended Liverpool’s lead, while Henderson denied Eberechi Eze to keep Palace in it.
Sarr’s equalizer set up a tense finish. In the shootout, Mohamed Salah missed Liverpool’s first penalty, with Mateta scoring to give Palace an early edge. Henderson saved from Alexis Mac Allister and Harvey Elliott, while Alisson Becker kept out Eze. Cody Gakpo and Sarr both converted, but Borna Sosa hit the post for Palace. Dominic Szoboszlai scored for Liverpool before Justin Devenny secured the win for Palace.
Mateta, who scored 17 goals in all competitions last season, now has 47 for Palace. Sarr’s tally for the club stands at 17, with 12 of those coming last season.
It is the third straight Community Shield to be won by a team conceding first. Arsenal beat Manchester City in 2023, City defeated Manchester United in 2024, and now Palace have done the same against Liverpool.
Liverpool’s opening goal was the product of a 22-pass move, a reminder of how fine margins decided the contest.
