- Kick-off : 3pm BST (10am ET)
- Venue : Wembley Stadium
- Referee: Chris Kavanagh (England)
Crystal Palace started the season the same way they ended the last, lifting silverware at Wembley. In an intense Community Shield clash, the FA Cup holders edged Liverpool 3-2 on penalties after a gripping 2-2 draw, with Dean Henderson the hero in the shootout.
Palace Start Season With Another Wembley Triumph
Crystal Palace have carried their winning mentality from last season into the new campaign, securing the 2025 Community Shield against Premier League champions Liverpool. The Eagles, fresh from their FA Cup triumph in May, showed once again they can thrive under pressure on the biggest stage. Dean Henderson’s penalty heroics and Justin Devenny’s ice-cool finish sealed the win in front of over 82,000 fans at Wembley. This victory means Palace have now lifted two major trophies in just three months, a remarkable feat for a club that had never won one before this year.
Early Liverpool Pressure Meets Palace Resilience
Liverpool struck first inside four minutes when record signing Florian Wirtz picked out Hugo Ekitike, who fired a low shot into the bottom corner. Palace responded quickly, winning a penalty after Virgil van Dijk fouled Ismaila Sarr, which Jean-Philippe Mateta converted confidently. The Reds regained the lead on 21 minutes through Jeremie Frimpong’s chipped effort that bounced off the post and in. The first half saw Liverpool’s pace and sharpness cause problems, but Palace held their ground, ensuring the game remained competitive heading into the break.
Second-Half Fightback and Late Drama
Liverpool had chances to put the game to bed early in the second half, but Ekitike missed two golden opportunities. Those misses proved costly when Sarr was played through and slotted in off the post to level the score at 2-2. Palace thought they had a penalty for handball against Alexis Mac Allister, but VAR upheld the on-field decision. In stoppage time, Devenny almost won it with a shot that flew inches wide, setting the stage for a tense penalty shootout.
Henderson’s Heroics Seal the Shield
The shootout saw Henderson step into the spotlight. He saved penalties from Mac Allister and Harvey Elliott, while Mohamed Salah blazed his effort over. Mateta and Sarr converted for Palace, leaving Devenny to score the decisive kick. The young midfielder, brought on in stoppage time, hammered his penalty past Alisson to spark jubilant scenes. Henderson’s performance mirrored his FA Cup final heroics, proving once again that he thrives in high-pressure moments.
Emotional Day for Liverpool
This was Liverpool’s first competitive match since the tragic deaths of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva. A minute’s silence before kick-off and a 20th-minute tribute from the fans highlighted the emotional weight of the occasion. Both Liverpool goals came with poignant symbolism — Ekitike’s strike from the left wing, where Jota shone for years, and Frimpong’s goal immediately after the tribute. Despite their attacking threat, Liverpool could not secure a record-equalling 17th Community Shield win.
Palace Await European Fate
While Palace celebrate another trophy, attention quickly turns to Monday’s ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport on their Europa League appeal. Whatever the outcome, Oliver Glasner’s side have shown they will fight for every prize available. With captain Marc Guehi leading from the back and Henderson’s confidence growing, Palace have proven once again they can mix it with English football’s elite.
