Crystal Palace emerged victorious in the 2025 Community Shield on Sunday, defeating Liverpool 3-2 in a penalty shootout after the match concluded in a thrilling 2-2 draw at Wembley.
The first half presented fans with an entertaining spectacle as Liverpool debutants Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong found the net, with Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta scoring a penalty equaliser in between.
Mateta’s goal came after Ismaila Sarr was fouled by Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk, showcasing the contentious nature of the match.
As the second half unfolded, Ekitike continued to impress, forging a strong partnership with the dynamic Florian Wirtz.
However, Palace stepped up their attacking performance, and Sarr managed to equalise again, finding the net with just 13 minutes remaining on the clock.
Despite strong calls for a second penalty for Palace after a ball struck Alexis Mac Allister’s arm, the referee dismissed the request.
Both teams had opportunities to seal the match in regular time, but the contest ultimately went to penalties, where Dean Henderson’s expertise shone through.
The penalty shootout began ominously for Liverpool as Mohamed Salah sent his kick soaring over the crossbar, even though Henderson had dove the opposite way.
Mateta, who converted a penalty in the match itself, stepped up again for Palace and confidently slotted the ball into the bottom-right corner, giving the Eagles an early lead.
Mac Allister followed but saw his shot brilliantly saved by Henderson, who celebrated triumphantly by tipping his cap to the Palace supporters.
Eberechi Eze failed to capitalize on the momentum for Palace, jogging and stuttering his run, only to have Alisson parry his shot.
Cody Gakpo provided Liverpool with their first successful shootout score, placing his shot neatly into the bottom-right corner.
In response, Sarr delivered a composed penalty, curling the ball just over a diving Alisson to restore Palace’s advantage.
Harvey Elliott, another Liverpool substitute, faced a missed opportunity as his central shot was easily saved by Henderson.
Borna Sosa, making his Palace debut after coming on for Tyrick Mitchell, struggled to seal victory for Palace as his attempt ricocheted off the crossbar.
In a timely display of skill, Dominik Szoboszlai blasted a penalty into the top-left corner for Liverpool, rekindling hope.
This left the pressure on 21-year-old Justin Devenny, who replaced Marc Guehi in the closing moments of regulation, to secure the win for Palace, and he did so with a precise strike into the top-right corner, sending the Palace fans into raptures.
Anantaajith Raghuraman highlighted the significant contribution of Florian Wirtz, who added fluidity to Liverpool’s attack.
Wirtz’s early movements across the attacking third aimed to open space against Palace’s compact defence, culminating in a stunning assist to Ekitike for the opening goal.
His involvement only increased as the match progressed, becoming a vital link in Liverpool’s attacking play, cleverly combining with Ekitike and Salah at various moments.
Wirtz demonstrated both offensive and defensive awareness, showing he was integral to Liverpool’s strategy as they sought to maximize the potential of their front line.
Gregg Evans then turned focus to Hugo Ekitike’s impressive debut, noting his maturity and ability to take on defenders with flair and precision.
His early goal set the tone for his potential future with Liverpool, underlining why he was recruited not just for his immediate contributions but for the promise he holds as a top-level striker.
Despite being a tall player, Ekitike exhibited remarkable agility and control, creating significant trouble for Palace’s defenders.
Matt Woosnam elaborated on Palace’s overall attacking promise during the match, particularly emphasizing Sarr’s crucial role in both winning the penalty and scoring the second equaliser.
Although some opportunities went unconverted, Palace indicated a developing attacking competency that bodes well for their upcoming campaign.
The fluency with which Palace’s attackers worked together suggested a promising season ahead under Oliver Glasner’s management.
Meanwhile, a notable absence was the much-anticipated Palace tifo display, which was absent due to restrictions imposed by Wembley Stadium regarding fan involvement.
The Holmesdale Fanatics, who typically organize such displays, expressed disappointment, citing unyielding access limitations and reduced permitted banner sizes as reasons for the absence.
Despite criticisms aimed at the stadium authorities, Palace fans maintained a spirited atmosphere throughout the game, even amidst procedural hurdles.
With respect to both managers, Oliver Glasner expressed his elation at his team’s performance while acknowledging there are still improvements to be made in maintaining solid leads.
Under his guidance, Palace demonstrated a cohesive unit that delighted their early-season supporters.
Conversely, Arne Slot recognized the defensive vulnerabilities within Liverpool’s ranks, particularly the need to shore up their defensive organization as they transition to a new style of play.
Although Liverpool’s ability to create opportunities was evident, Slot reiterated the importance of anchoring results with solid defensive displays—a hallmark of their previous successful campaigns.
The outlook for both teams is optimistic yet demanding as Crystal Palace eyes a difficult away match against Chelsea in the Premier League, while Liverpool prepares to host Bournemouth in their own campaign opener.
image source from：nytimes
