Palace win Community Shield on penalties

Crystal Palace beat Liverpool 3-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw to win the Community Shield at Wembley.

Crystal Palace Triumphs in Penalty Shootout to Lift Community Shield

Liverpool started strong, with Hugo Ekitiké giving them the lead and Jeremie Frimpong creating pressure on the Palace defense. Florian Wirtz looked bright in midfield as part of Jurgen Glasner’s new-look midfield, while Palace steadied and equalised through Ismaila Sarr after a late challenge in the box drew a foul from the Liverpool defense. The match swung again when Ekitiké struck a second for Liverpool, but Palace kept fighting and forced a shootout with a late equaliser. Kamada went off injured in the first half, and Will Hughes added bite in midfield as Palace grew into the game. The Reds’ new arrivals showed moments of quality, yet Palace’s organization and pace kept them in the contest.

This friendly trophy underlines a broader issue for both clubs. Liverpool’s summer spending has raised expectations, yet a single game does not prove a rebuild is complete. Palace’s ability to stay compact and find a late equaliser suggests Arne Slot’s squad can mix resilience with flair, even as they navigate off-field questions, including a CAS ruling tied to their European status. The Community Shield offers a snapshot of early-season balance: money buys variety, but consistency comes from collective discipline and tactical adaptability. The result also hints at a growing moral for fans: big spending raises the bar, but it does not guarantee daylight between the top teams and the rest.

Highlights

The season will test these early signals as both clubs push to translate this night of drama into consistent league form.