Goal scorers Isaac Buckley-Ricketts and Paul Dawson of Macclesfield celebrate after the team’s victory following the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Macclesfield and Crystal Palace at Moss Rose Ground on January 10, 2026 in Macclesfield, England.
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Michael Regan/Getty Images Europe
In what may be the biggest upset in the long history of English soccer’s FA Cup, sixth-tier non-league team Macclesfield FC stunned defending champions Crystal Palace with a 2-1 victory in the third round on Saturday, sending shockwaves through the country’s much-loved sport.
At their modest Moss Rose ground, Macclesfield — who sit 117 places below Crystal Palace in the English football pyramid — took a surprise lead shortly before half time, when captain Paul Dawson scored.
Early in the second half, forward Isaac Buckley-Ricketts doubled that advantage with a composed finish, igniting jubilant celebrations among the home supporters.
Palace, who lifted the FA Cup for the first time in their club’s history last May, managed a late consolation from Yeremy Pino’s free kick, but it proved too little, too late.
The result marks the first time in 117 years that a side from outside the major national leagues has eliminated the reigning FA Cup holders — the last being Crystal Palace themselves when they beat Wolverhampton Wanderers back in 1909.
Statistically, the gap of five divisions between the two clubs makes this the most improbable “giant-killing” moment in FA Cup history — a…