Match Overview
The Carabao Cup third‑round tie at Selhurst Park turned into a classic South London showdown. Both Premier League side Crystal Palace and Championship rivals Millwall fought for dominance, producing a match that swung back and forth for the full 90 minutes. The home side opened the scoring after a chaotic corner when Richards slipped in a loose ball and finished from close range, a goal described by fans as messy but decisive.
Millwall responded quickly, capitalising on a defensive lapse to level the score. The rest of regular time saw chances on both ends – Palace’s creative midfield tried to break down a compact Millwall defence, while the Lions’ counter‑attacks threatened the home goal. In the end, the scoreboard stayed at 1-1, forcing the game into a penalty shootout.
Key Moments and Aftermath
The shootout provided the drama everyone expected. Walter Benítez, making his Palace debut, stepped up as the unlikely hero. He produced two crucial saves, denying Millwall’s best shooters and giving his teammates the confidence to convert their own spot‑kicks. Palace edged the shootout 4-2, clinching a place in the fourth round and extending their impressive unbeaten run to 16 matches across all competitions.
For Millwall, the loss is bitter but not without merit. Matching a top‑flight side for almost the entire game demonstrated their quality and hinted at a potential upset had the penalties gone their way. Their performances will be a talking point as they continue their league campaign.
Looking ahead, Palace will aim to maintain momentum in the cup, hoping to replicate their solid defensive displays while adding goals. The win also fuels the local rivalry, setting the stage for future encounters that could decide South London’s football hierarchy.
- Goal scorers: Richards (Palace), Millwall scorer (unnamed in reports)
- Penalty shootout tally: Palace 4, Millwall 2
- Key hero: Walter Benítez – two penalty saves
- Current unbeaten streak for Palace: 16 matches
10 Comments
Sara Lohmaier September 26, 2025 AT 02:05
I swear the ref let that first goal stand because he’s on Palace’s payroll. You saw how the ball bounced off three players before Richards just kinda stumbled into it. That’s not a goal, that’s a glitch in the simulation.
Sara Lohmaier September 26, 2025 AT 19:57
I just want to say, well done to Walter Benítez-what a debut! Two saves under pressure? That’s not luck; that’s focus, discipline, and sheer will. And Palace’s defense? Solid. Not perfect, but solid. This is the kind of character that wins trophies.
Sara Lohmaier September 27, 2025 AT 01:14
Man, this is why I love football. No fancy stats, no overhyped stars-just two teams giving everything on a muddy pitch in South London. Palace’s streak is wild, but Millwall? They didn’t lose-they just ran out of luck on penalties. Respect.
Sara Lohmaier September 28, 2025 AT 10:04
you know what i think? this game wasnt really about goals or penalties... it was about the fact that both teams showed up. no one quit. no one stopped trying. even when the crowd was silent, even when the ref made bad calls, they kept running. maybe thats the real win. not the cup. not the streak. just showing up.
Sara Lohmaier September 29, 2025 AT 13:01
16 games unbeaten? Wow. And yet, they still needed a debutant keeper to save them from a team that plays in the second division. This isn’t dominance-it’s desperation dressed up as momentum. Next up: Palace vs. a pub team in the 7th round.
Sara Lohmaier October 1, 2025 AT 12:22
South London just gave us a symphony of grit. Palace with their slick passes and Millwall with their raw, muddy soul. Benítez? He didn’t just save penalties-he saved the spirit of this rivalry. That’s not football, that’s folklore. I’m telling my grandkids about this one.
Sara Lohmaier October 3, 2025 AT 08:21
The statistical anomaly of this match is staggering. A goal scored from a chaotic corner, a penalty shootout decided by two saves, and an unbeaten streak that defies the natural order of competitive balance. One must question the integrity of the competition’s scheduling.
Sara Lohmaier October 3, 2025 AT 23:32
Millwall played like warriors. Palace played like champions. That’s all that matters. Keep going, both teams. The game needs this.
Sara Lohmaier October 4, 2025 AT 04:34
i just watched the penalty save again. benitez just stood there like he knew exactly where it was going. like he’d seen it a thousand times in his dreams. that’s not training. that’s magic.
Sara Lohmaier October 4, 2025 AT 06:53
Palace winning? Of course. The system wants it. The media wants it. The league wants it. Millwall were always destined to lose. The real question is: who owns the penalty spot?