History was not just made; it was shattered. On Saturday, January 10, 2026, Macclesfield FC produced what is being hailed as the greatest upset in the 154-year history of the FA Cup, defeating the defending champions Crystal Palace 2–1 at a raucous Moss Rose.
Bridging a staggering gap of 117 league places, the National League North side (6th tier) did the impossible by knocking out the Premier League holders.
It was the first time since 1909—117 years ago—that the FA Cup holders were eliminated by a non-league team. Ironically, the holders back then were Wolves, and the giant-killers were Crystal Palace themselves.
The Match: A Battle of Heart vs. Goliath
Despite the presence of England internationals like Marc Guéhi and Adam Wharton, Palace looked sluggish against a Macclesfield side inspired by more than just football.
43’ | The Captain Leads: Sporting a thick head bandage from an early clash, captain Paul Dawson sparked "absolute carnage" just before half-time.
He rose highest at the back post to power home a header from a Luke Duffy free-kick, sending the 5,300-strong crowd into a frenzy.
60’ | The Dream Becomes Real: On the hour mark, the impossible felt inevitable. Following a goalmouth scramble, former Manchester City academy star Isaac Buckley-Ricketts produced a moment of genius, instinctively flicking the ball past a stranded Walter BenÃtez to make it 2–0.
90’ | The Late Scare: Yéremy Pino whipped a world-class free-kick into the top corner to set up a terrifying six minutes of added time, but the Silkmen held firm to secure their place in the fourth round.
Emotional Tributes and Family Ties
The win carried a deep emotional weight for the club. Manager John Rooney (brother of Wayne Rooney) led the celebrations, but the day belonged to the memory of Ethan McLeod, the 21-year-old Macclesfield striker who tragically died in a car accident just weeks ago on December 16.
McLeod’s parents were invited into the dressing room after the whistle, where Rooney told them: "He was definitely watching down on us today. I feel he is here with us."
The Verdict: Oliver Glasner’s side will be haunted by this "embarrassing" exit, but for Macclesfield, the dream of Wembley is no longer a joke.
The phoenix club has risen to the highest peak of English football folklore.