Emotions ran high for Wayne Rooney as he watched his brother John orchestrate one of the most remarkable upsets in the history of the FA Cup. John Rooney, at the helm of Macclesfield, led his team to a stunning victory against the defending champions, Crystal Palace.

This unexpected triumph in the third round turned heads, as Macclesfield, a non-league team, managed to topple a club that recently celebrated their greatest triumph by defeating Manchester City at Wembley in May, securing their first major trophy. The contrast couldn’t be starker as Macclesfield, positioned 14th in the National League North, shocked everyone with a 2-1 win.

The match’s intense finale saw fans storm the pitch in sheer jubilation when the final whistle blew. The giant-killing began to take shape just before halftime, when Captain Paul Dawson capitalized on a Luke Duffy corner to head the ball into the net. The excitement only grew when Isaac Buckley-Ricketts extended their lead in the 60th minute, sealing the fate of Crystal Palace and marking a historic moment for Macclesfield.

Macclesfield – who are 14th in the National League North – secured a stunning 2-1 victory with fans invading the pitch when the final whistle sounded.

Captain Paul Dawson set the scene for the FA Cup upset by heading in from a Luke Duffy corner in the closing stages of the first half. The prospect increased when Isaac Buckley-Ricketts doubled their advantage in the 60th minute.

Macclesfield fans invaded the pitch after their side caused the FA Cup’s biggest ever upset

The non-league side stunned the defending champions Crystal Palace in the third round

An emotional Wayne Rooney, right, was close to tears on the BBC after his younger brother John, the Macclesfield manager, oversaw the historic upset 

Palace, who fielded England internationals Marc Guehi and Adam Wharton in their starting line-up and brought on club record £35million signing Brennan Johnson at half-time, were given hope in the closing minutes.

Yeremy Pino curled in a free kick in the 90th minute, before six minutes of added time were signalled.

Macclesfield held on to secure the stunning victory, leaving former England and Man United star Rooney emotional as he praised his brother’s accomplishment.

Rooney, who won the FA Cup back in 2016, had been working as a pundit for the BBC on the match and could be heard on the verge of tears after being asked about John’s success. 

‘It’s incredible, I am getting emotional to see my younger brother achieve this,’ Rooney said.

‘He’s not been long in management and to get through to the fourth round of the FA Cup and beat Crystal Palace, I am so proud of him.

‘He did [look calm], I don’t know how, it is such an achievement what he has done today, it is absolutely superb.’

Rooney then embraced his brother John as the Macclesfield boss joined the BBC for his post-match interview.

Rooney embraced his brother before beginning his post-match interview on the BBC

The Macclesfield boss had made his way through the fans who had invaded the pitch

Supporters had raced onto the pitch at full-time to celebrate the stunning result

Rooney masterminded the National League North side’s stunning FA Cup shock

Macclesfield FC goalscorers Paul Dawson and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts celebrate following the shock win

Sam Heathcote enjoyed a beer amid the celebrations after helping Macclesfield triumph

The FA Cup magic was on show as young fans celebrate Macclesfield’s historic victory

Macclesfield were 2-1 winners over the Premier League side despite being 117 places below them in football’s pyramid – the biggest gap overcome in the competition’s history

‘I’m the same (in tears), literally,’ John said. ‘I still can’t believe it, I can’t get my head around it. 

‘I thought we were incredible from the first minute, the first half we had a couple of chances, and then we took the lead. I thought we were well deserved winners. 

‘I thought we were incredible to a man, I couldn’t be any prouder of the lads.’

The Macclesfield boss also reflected on the result coming weeks after their striker Ethan McLeod tragically died in a car crash on December 16.

McLeod had been travelling home following Macclesfield’s National League North match at Bedford Town.

Rooney revealed he had received a message from McLeod’s father on the eve of the match, but opted against telling his side to not put additional pressure on them.

He explained that the squad would spend time with McLeod’s parents post-match with the pair having been present for the victory.

John Rooney paid tribute to Ethan McLeod, who tragically died in a car crash in December as he travelled home following a match 

Paul Dawson scored the opening goal of the third round tie to raise hope of the upset

Isaac Buckley-Ricketts doubled the host’s lead, with his strike proving to be the winner

Macclesfield fans showed a flag featuring a tribute to their owner Rob Smethurst, who helped to bring the club back from the dead

‘I haven’t mentioned him much in the dressing room, I didn’t want to put the extra pressure on the lads, but I got a nice message off his dad last night,’ Rooney said.

‘I wondered, do I tell them, or keep it from them – I didn’t want to put that pressure on them after everything we’ve been through. I thought I would leave that until after the game.

‘His parents are here today, so we need to go and see them. It’s been a really tough time, and we’ve all stuck together through it. It’s never going to get easier.

‘We’ve still got pictures up in the dressing room, they’ll never go. It’s been really tough, but I think he’ll be looking down on us today, and be proud of us.’

Macclesfield owner Rob Smethurst revealed McLeod’s parents had joined the team in the dressing room post match and said their late star had been ‘twelfth man who was on the pitch’ with the team during the victory.

‘A real special moment for Ethan’s parents, they’re in the changing room. 

‘I wanted to make sure they had that moment, because he helped us to get here. I can’t thank him and his family enough for this.’

The FA Cup shock also continued Macclesfield’s rise under Smethurst, who bought the club off Rightmove back in 2020.

Smethurst had explained his purchase of the club after a ‘four-day bender’ this week after Daily Mail Sport were given behind the scenes access to the club ahead of the FA Cup tie.