Believe it or not, the wait is actually over. After 120 years of "maybe next time" and "we’ll be back," Crystal Palace are finally FA Cup champions. If you’d told a Palace fan back in August that they’d be the ones lifting the trophy at Wembley on May 17, 2025, they’d have probably laughed you out of the pub. But here we are.
It wasn't just a win; it was a total heist.
Facing a Manchester City side that looks like it's built in a lab to win trophies, Palace pulled off a 1-0 victory that felt like it belonged in a movie script. Honestly, the game was a blur of blue and purple shirts throwing themselves in front of everything City fired their way. If you’re looking for who won the FA Cup 2025, the answer is the Eagles, and they did it by breaking City hearts for the second year in a row.
How Crystal Palace Shocked the World
The match started exactly how you'd expect. City had the ball. Then they had it some more. Within nine minutes, Pep Guardiola’s side had completed 60 passes. Palace? They had completed six.
It was a siege.
Dean Henderson, who basically turned into a brick wall for 90 minutes, had to pull off a miraculous save against Erling Haaland early on. Then he did it again against Josko Gvardiol. It felt like only a matter of time before the deadlock broke, but when it did, it wasn't the City end celebrating.
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In the 16th minute, Jean-Philippe Mateta bullied his way into possession and fed Daniel Munoz. Munoz—who ended up winning Player of the Match for a reason—whipped in a low, fizzing cross. Eberechi Eze was there. One touch. Goal.
Wembley literally shook.
The Heroics of Dean Henderson
Winning a trophy usually requires a bit of luck, but it also requires a goalkeeper having the game of his life. Henderson was possessed.
The biggest moment? Probably the 34th minute.
Tyrick Mitchell tripped Bernardo Silva in the box. Penalty. Usually, Haaland steps up and it’s a foregone conclusion. This time, Omar Marmoush took the ball. He stepped up, hit it reasonably well, and Henderson guessed right. He didn't just save it; he smothered the rebound too.
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City kept coming. Jeremy Doku, Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden—everyone had a go. But whether it was a fingertip save or Marc Guehi making a last-ditch block, the ball just wouldn't go in. By the time the final whistle blew after ten agonizing minutes of stoppage time, Palace had survived with just 19% of the possession.
Why This Win Changes Everything for Palace
This wasn't just another trophy. It was Palace's first-ever major silverware. They had lost the final in 1990. They lost it again in 2016. Both times to Manchester United. To finally get over the line against the modern juggernaut of Manchester City is sort of poetic.
Oliver Glasner has done something special in South London. He became the first Austrian manager to win the FA Cup, and he did it by convincing a group of players that they could absorb the most intense pressure in world football without cracking.
"Sometimes when you play this game ten times, you win it once. We had a great goalkeeper, a great mentality, and a great togetherness." — Oliver Glasner, post-match.
The Bitter End for Manchester City
For City, the who won the FA Cup 2025 conversation is a painful one. They’ve now lost back-to-back finals at Wembley. Even worse, this loss meant they finished the 2024-25 season without a single domestic trophy for the first time since 2017.
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It felt like an era was ending. Kevin De Bruyne, playing what many expect to be his final match for the club, looked devastated at the end. Despite all the talent, despite outshooting Palace significantly, they just couldn't find the clinical edge they’re famous for.
The European Drama Nobody Saw Coming
Winning the FA Cup usually guarantees a spot in the Europa League. For Palace fans, the idea of a "European Tour" was the icing on the cake. However, things got a bit messy behind the scenes.
Because Palace joint-owner John Textor also owns a stake in Lyon, UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules kicked in. Since Lyon finished 6th in their league and Palace finished 12th, Lyon got the Europa League nod. Palace were "downgraded" to the Conference League.
Does that bother the fans? Probably not today. They have the trophy. They have the memories of the open-top bus parade through South London. And they have the bragging rights.
What to Do If You're a Fan Looking Back
If you're still buzzing from the result or just catching up on what you missed, here is the best way to relive the magic:
- Watch the extended highlights: Focus on the 10 minutes of stoppage time. It’s a masterclass in defensive desperation.
- Check out the fan footage: The scenes in the Palace end when Eze scored are some of the most chaotic in Wembley history.
- Track the 2025-26 Season: Palace earned a spot in the Community Shield against Liverpool because of this win. That’s the next big milestone to watch.
The 2025 FA Cup didn't go to the "big six." It went to a team that refused to blink. South London is officially blue and red.
Key Takeaways from the 2025 Final:
- Winner: Crystal Palace (1st Title)
- Score: 1-0 vs Manchester City
- Goalscorer: Eberechi Eze (16')
- Venue: Wembley Stadium
- Attendance: 84,163