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By MICHAEL PAVITT, SPORTS REPORTER Published: 01: 13 AEDT, 11 January 2026 | Updated: 04: 01 AEDT, 11 January 2026 745 View comments Wayne Rooney was left on the verge of tears after watching his brother John mastermind the biggest upset in FA Cup history. John's Macclesfield side produced a stunning giant-killing in the third round, with the non-league side overcoming holders Crystal Palace. Palace had enjoyed their greatest day in the club's history in their last appearance in the competition when they beat Man City at Wembley in May to earn their first major trophy.   The Eagles were on the wrong end of FA Cup magic this time around with Oliver Glasner's side - who lie 13th in the Premier League - coming unstuck against a side 117 places below them in English football's pyramid. 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. Does Macclesfield¿s FA Cup victory show big-money clubs lack true heart and spirit in football? 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 Mc Leod tragically died in a car crash on December 16. Mc Leod had been travelling home following Macclesfield's National League North match at Bedford Town. Rooney revealed he had received a message from Mc Leod'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 Mc Leod's parents post-match with the pair having been present for the victory. John Rooney paid tribute to Ethan Mc Leod, 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 Mc Leod'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.

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