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Crystal Palace beat Liverpool on penalties to win Community Shield

Palace, who had never won a major trophy until this year, have now claimed two in a matter of months at Wembley

FA Cup holders Crystal Palace claimed the Community Shield with a 3-2 penalty shootout victory over Premier League champions Liverpool, after an enthralling 2-2 draw at Wembley.

Goalkeeper Dean Henderson was the shootout hero for Palace, saving from Alexis Mac Allister and Harvey Elliott, while Mohamed Salah sent his effort over the bar.

That left 21-year-old midfielder Justin Devenny – introduced as a stoppage-time substitute – to smash the winning penalty past Alisson.

Palace, who had never won a major trophy until this year, have now claimed two in a matter of months at Wembley.

They also became the first side in 50 years to win the Community Shield on their debut in the match, following Derby County’s triumph in 1975.

The drama began early on a sun-soaked afternoon, with four of Liverpool’s five major summer signings in the starting XI.

Just four minutes in, record signing Florian Wirtz fed Hugo Ekitike on the edge of the box, and the French striker turned before driving a low shot into the far corner beyond Henderson.

Palace responded confidently and levelled 13 minutes later when Jean-Philippe Mateta converted from the penalty spot after Virgil van Dijk fouled Ismaila Sarr.

Mateta would later score again in the shootout.

Liverpool regained the lead shortly after when right-back Jeremie Frimpong jinked into the box and floated what appeared to be a cross over Henderson.

The ball struck the far post and bounced in, delighting the Reds’ fans, who had just completed a 20th-minute tribute to Diogo Jota, the forward who wore the number 20 shirt before his tragic death in a car crash last month.

Ekitike should have extended Liverpool’s lead early in the second half but missed two clear chances – heading wide from close range and firing over from 12 yards.

The misses proved costly as Sarr raced clear, kept onside by Frimpong, and finished clinically off the post to bring Palace level.

Moments later, Palace appealed for a penalty when Mac Allister appeared to handle a cross, but the decision was waved away and upheld by VAR.

Devenny almost scored the winner in open play in the dying moments, but his day would end with glory as he stepped up to convert the decisive spot-kick and seal another historic day for the Eagles.

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Joseph Agbobli

Joseph Agbobli specializes in exclusive and original stories, including in-depth interviews. Over the years, he has had the privilege of interviewing some of football’s biggest names, including Glen Johnson, Emile Heskey, Chris Sutton, Tim Sherwood, and more.

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