In one of the most astonishing results in the history of English football, FA Cup holders Crystal Palace have been eliminated from the competition by sixth-tier side Macclesfield. The seismic third-round upset occurred on Saturday afternoon, 10 January 2026, ending the South London club's title defence at the very first hurdle.
A Defending Champion's Dream Shattered
Palace travelled to Macclesfield as reigning champions, having famously lifted the trophy at Wembley by defeating Manchester City less than a year ago. However, any hopes of a prolonged cup run were spectacularly dashed by a spirited and historic performance from their non-league opponents. The result sends shockwaves through the football world and etches Macclesfield's name into FA Cup folklore.
How the Historic Victory Unfolded
The match followed a classic giant-killing script. Paul Dawson broke the deadlock for Macclesfield just minutes before half-time, sending the home supporters into delirium. The belief grew exponentially on the hour mark when Isaac Buckley-Ricketts found the net to double the lead for John Rooney's side.
Crystal Palace, stunned into action, managed to set up a tense finale when Yeremy Pino scored from a free-kick. Despite late pressure, the National League North side displayed immense resilience to hold on for a famous 2-1 victory. The final whistle triggered unforgettable scenes of celebration, confirming one of the competition's greatest ever shocks.
Aftermath and What Comes Next
The focus now shifts to the fourth-round draw, which is scheduled for Monday. Macclesfield will await their next opponents, having already secured a permanent place in football history. For Crystal Palace, the defeat represents a bitterly disappointing and premature end to their FA Cup journey, a stark contrast to their Wembley triumph of the previous season.
This result stands as a powerful reminder of the magic and unpredictable drama that the FA Cup consistently delivers, where on any given Saturday, footballing fairy tales can and do come true.
