LONDON — Crystal Palace clinched the Community Shield in a pulsating penalty shootout at Wembley, defeating Liverpool 3-2 after a tense series of spot kicks that swung wildly from despair to delight.
With the penalties taken in front of the Liverpool end, Mohamed Salah — largely subdued during the match — ballooned the opening effort over the bar. Jean-Philippe Mateta responded clinically to put Palace ahead. Alexis Mac Allister then saw his low, hard strike superbly turned away by a diving Dean Henderson, who acknowledged the Palace faithful with a tip of his baseball cap.
Eberechi Eze’s attempt to send Alisson the wrong way failed, the Liverpool keeper pushing the ball onto the post. Cody Gakpo converted coolly to make it 1-1, before Ismaïla Sarr restored Palace’s advantage with a composed finish.
Harvey Elliott’s tame effort was saved, giving new signing Borna Sosa the chance to seal victory — but he rattled the crossbar. Dominik Szoboszlai blasted home to level at 2-2, setting the stage for substitute Justin Devenny. The 21-year-old showed no nerves, burying his spot kick to secure Palace’s first Community Shield.
For a club that had waited decades for silverware, the win follows their FA Cup triumph earlier this year — two trophies in three months, a surge reminiscent of London buses. As Henderson lifted the shield, Palace fans roared “England’s No. 1” in tribute to their goalkeeper.
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