Crystal Palace survived a late scare to edge past Millwall 4-2 on penalties in a thrilling Carabao Cup third-round clash at Selhurst Park on Tuesday evening. The match ended 1-1 after extra time, with Palace needing a penalty shootout to secure their place in the fourth round.
The match began with Crystal Palace dominating the early proceedings. Summer signing Yeremy Pino, brought in from Villarreal, was a constant threat on the left flank, troubling Millwall’s defense. His deflected shot found the head of Daniel Munoz, who saw his close-range effort saved by Millwall goalkeeper Steven Benda.
Millwall, however, gradually grew into the game. Josh Coburn and Camiel Neghli came close to breaking the deadlock before half-time, but both missed critical chances to put their team in front. The breakthrough finally came for Palace in the 72nd minute when Chris Richards fired home an opener from a Palace corner. The goal seemed to seal the match, with Millwall struggling to respond.
Yet, Millwall’s resilience shone through in stoppage time. Ryan Leonard powered a header past Walter Benitez from a corner to level the scores at 1-1, sending the game into extra time and a thrilling penalty shootout.
In the shootout, Palace’s composure shone through as they converted all four of their attempts. Millwall, however, faltered under pressure. Captain Tristan Crama and Aidomo Emakhu both saw their penalties saved by Benitez, who was instrumental in securing Palace's victory.
Key Moments:
Palace's Control in the First Half:** Palace started the match with an upper hand, with Pino dictating play and creating multiple opportunities.
Millwall's Late Heroics:** Leonard's stoppage-time equalizer kept the visitors alive and forced the match into a penalty shootout.
Penalty Shootout Decides the Fate:** Palace's cool finishes and Benitez's impressive saves ensured victory, with Palace progressing to the next round.
Post-Match Reactions:
Crystal Palace Manager Oliver Glasner:** "We had our chances but couldn’t capitalize, and the game went to penalties. I’m pleased with the way we handled the situation. The penalty shootout was crucial, and Walter Benitez was instrumental."
Millwall Manager Alex Neil:** "I’m proud of the performance. We made a lot of changes and faced injuries but still put in a strong effort. We deserved to take it to penalties, but the result is tough to swallow."
Up Next:
The fourth-round draw will be conducted following the conclusion of the third round. Palace will now await their next opponents, with the possibility of facing stronger competition in the upcoming rounds.
The match was a testament to Millwall's fighting spirit, but Crystal Palace’s victory on penalties underscores their mental fortitude and tactical discipline. Palace will look to build on this win as they aim for further progression in the Carabao Cup.
Final Score: Crystal Palace 1-1 Millwall (4-2 pens)**
Crystal Palace Progresses:** Palace will face their next opponent in the Carabao Cup fourth round, with the draw expected to take place soon. The victory keeps Palace’s hopes alive in the competition, while Millwall will need to regroup for their next challenge.
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