Eagles Claim Historic First Shield in 10-Goal Wembley Spectacle
Under the August sun at Wembley, Crystal Palace scripted a fairytale ending to lift their first-ever Community Shield in a heart-stopping 5-4 penalty victory over Liverpool after a 2-2 draw that had everything – debut goals, missed chances, and a dramatic woodwork denial.
The match exploded into life when £55m signing Hugo Ekitike announced his arrival with a sublime curling finish after just four minutes – Liverpool’s fastest final goal since their 2019 Champions League triumph. But Palace’s talisman Jean-Philippe Mateta responded in kind, converting a 16th-minute penalty to continue his remarkable record of 31 goals under Oliver Glasner.
New Liverpool boss Arne Slot saw his rebuilt side dominate possession (72.5% first half) with debutants Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong impressing, the latter scoring a freak 20th-minute cross-goal. Yet Palace grew into the game through Mateta’s physicality and Will Hughes’ midfield tenacity, before Ismaila Sarr’s clinical 76th-minute equalizer set up a grandstand finish.
The penalty shootout became an emotional rollercoaster:
• Salah’s shocking skied opener
• Henderson’s heroic saves from Mac Allister
• The crossbar denying Borna Sosa’s potential winner
• 21-year-old sub Justin Devenny’s ice-cool decider
For Palace, this victory exorcised their Wembley demons after last season’s FA Cup triumph, while Liverpool’s new era under Slot begins with familiar shootout heartbreak – their third in four Community Shield appearances.
As the Palace end erupted, Glasner’s men proved the traditional curtain-raiser can produce drama worthy of its magnificent stage. With five debutants influencing the game and two teams playing fearless football, the 2025/26 season promises fireworks if this spectacle was anything to go by.
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