Crystal Palace Triumphs in Carabao Cup Shootout Against Millwall
Crystal Palace debutant Walter Benitez excelled in the shootout, saving two penalties to secure a victory over south London rivals Millwall in the third round of the Carabao Cup.
Millwall, competing in the Championship, equalized in dramatic fashion with a header from Ryan Leonard, directed in from a corner by Jack Howland, during the first minute of added time.
Palace had initially taken the lead in the 72nd minute when Chris Richards converted a loose ball from close range following a corner routine.
Benitez played a crucial role in assisting the Premier League side to a 4-2 win in the shootout, particularly after French striker Jean-Philippe Mateta squandered a golden opportunity by missing a close-range shot in injury time.
The Argentine goalkeeper made key saves against Tristan Crama and Aidomo Emakhu, while Palace successfully converted all four of their penalty attempts.
This victory extends Palace's unbeaten streak to 16 games across all competitions, a run that dates back to mid-April.
Palace will have to wait eight days to learn their fourth-round opponents, as this stage of the competition is spread over two weeks.
Analysis: Strong Palace Team Gets the Job Done
Crystal Palace, possibly motivated by their FA Cup triumph last season—their first major trophy—fielded a strong lineup with only four changes from the team that drew with Sunderland on Saturday.
Debuts were given to two players: Benitez, a 32-year-old summer signing from PSV, and teenage defender Jaydee Canvot, who joined from Toulouse.
In contrast, Millwall made seven changes from their previous match against Charlton, with an eighth change averted only because goalkeeper Max Crocombe was injured during warm-up.
Both teams had opportunities in an evenly matched first half, with Millwall's Camiel Neghli missing a clear chance from inside the box.
After halftime, Palace appeared the stronger side, believing they had scored through Richards, who replaced Marc Guehi shortly after the hour mark. However, Leonard's late header sent the match to penalties, following Mateta's miss after a perfect setup from Daniel Munoz.
Ultimately, Benitez made a significant impact, saving two penalties that determined the match's outcome.
What's Next for These Teams?
Crystal Palace: The Eagles will face another London derby, traveling to West Ham on Saturday at 15:00 BST.
Millwall: The Lions will host Watford in the Championship next Monday at 20:00.