In a result that will echo through football history, sixth-tier Macclesfield pulled off one of the most astonishing FA Cup upsets of all time, defeating holders Crystal Palace 2-1 at a raucous Moss Rose.
A Historic Giant-Killing Act
Macclesfield, sitting 117 places below their Premier League opponents in the English football pyramid, became the first non-league team to eliminate the reigning FA Cup holders since 1909. The seismic victory on Saturday, 10 January 2026, came just seven months after Palace lifted their first major trophy by beating Manchester City at Wembley. The Eagles joined Wolverhampton Wanderers, the last holders to suffer such a fate 117 years prior, in the history books for all the wrong reasons.
Emotion and Resilience Fuel the Dream
The day was laden with emotion for the reborn club. Macclesfield FC was formed in 2020 after the historic Macclesfield Town, founded in 1871, was wound up in the High Court with debts exceeding £500,000. The victory also served as a poignant tribute to young forward Ethan McLeod, who was killed in a car accident aged 21 less than a month before the match. Tributes were paid to the former Wolves academy graduate before kick-off.
Inspired by their manager, John Rooney—the younger brother of England legend Wayne Rooney—the National League North side defied astronomical odds. The 14th-placed part-timers took a shock lead shortly before half-time. Their bandaged captain, Paul Dawson, rose magnificently to plant a back-post header into the far corner, sending Moss Rose into delirium.
Palace Tamed on Artificial Turf
Crystal Palace, despite naming a strong line-up featuring England internationals Marc Guehi and Adam Wharton plus £26m Spanish winger Yeremy Pino, looked disjointed throughout on Macclesfield's artificial pitch. The home side doubled their advantage in the 61st minute when Isaac Buckley-Rickett flicked the ball home to send belief coursing through the stands.
To the growing frustration of manager Oliver Glasner, Palace offered little until a dramatic finale. Pino finally gave the visitors hope, curling in a exquisite free-kick in the 90th minute. Macclesfield then endured six agonising minutes of stoppage time, but Rooney's heroes held firm to secure a legendary win in front of a sold-out, fervent crowd and his brother Wayne, who was working as a BBC pundit.
This was more than a football match; it was a testament to resilience, community, and the enduring, unpredictable magic of the world's oldest cup competition.
