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 cause 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.
Jeremy 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.
‘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
‘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.’
