Sixth-Tier Macclesfield Stuns Palace in Biggest FA Cup Upset Ever

Macclesfield Town, a sixth-tier team that had to completely rebuild after financial collapse in 2020, just wrote the most incredible chapter in FA Cup history.

The tiny club from northern England defeated defending champions Crystal Palace 2-1 on Saturday, overcoming a gap of 117 places in the football pyramid. No underdog has ever beaten a team that far above them in the competition's 153-year history.

Captain Paul Dawson powered home a header from a free kick just before halftime to send the home crowd into delirium. Isaac Buckley-Ricketts sealed the victory with a close-range goal in the 60th minute, and not even a late strike from Palace could stop the fairytale.

"I can't believe it, we never thought we would be in this position," said Macclesfield manager John Rooney after the match. "I didn't think it was possible but there is that little bit of hope that anything can happen on the day."

The victory carries extra emotional weight for the club, which is still mourning forward Euan McLeod. The 21-year-old died in a car accident less than a month ago while traveling home after a match.

Macclesfield were forced to completely start over in 2020 after being wound up for unpaid debts. Five years later, they've achieved something no team in FA Cup history has managed.

The FA Cup has always been famous for David versus Goliath stories, but this result tops them all. Premier League powerhouses with international stars can still be beaten by part-time players fueled by heart and community spirit.

For a club that lost everything and had to rebuild from scratch, this victory proves that second chances can lead to first-place dreams.