There would be another proud moment for the Palace Academy 20 minutes from time as 17-year-old Dean Benamar – who signed his first professional contract earlier this summer – also entered the fray at left wing-back.
But it was on the opposite side five minutes later that Cardines twice went close in quick succession – his first strike, an opportunistic near-post effort, was well saved by goalkeeper Nediljko Labrović, but his second forced the Croatia international into an even better stop, as his fierce right-footed drive across goal was somehow denied by an outstretched palm.
With eight minutes left, Augsburg would take the lead with the ultimately decisive goal, as Aiman Dardari guided home first-time from Robin Fellhauer’s arching cross.
Even then, however, Palace’s youngsters rose to the challenge, as Jemide leapt high to meet Hughes’ set-piece delivery, only to be denied by Labrović.
Benamar, too, had a late opportunity to make a remarkable day even more memorable, racing onto Devenny’s through ball but finding the angle for his shot shut down by the Augsburg ‘keeper.
Nevertheless, it was a proud day for many a Palace player – as a well as a valuable one for the overall fitness of the squad.
Next up: [Wembley again](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/matches/men/english-community-shield/2025-26/crystal-palace-vs-liverpool-2025-08-10/2564401/).
**Palace:** Benítez (GK) (Matthews, 64), Jemide, Browne, Rodney, Clyne (Ahamada, 71), Hughes, Lerma (Benamar, 71), Cardines, Devenny, Nketiah (Esse, 28), Edouard (Rak-Sakyi, 81).
**Augsburg:** Labrovic (GK), Banks, Bauer, Shlotterbeck, Koudossou (Dong, 61), Fellhauer, Rexhbeçaj, Pedersen (Sorg, 74), Maier (Breithaupt, 61), Mounie (Essende, 61), Saad (Dardari, 70).
Subs: Jäger (GK).
### As It Happened