Plymouth Argyle pulled off one of the biggest upsets in FA Cup history, defeating Premier League leaders Liverpool 1-0 at Home Park. Ryan Hardie’s second-half penalty secured a famous victory for the Championship strugglers, sending shockwaves through English football.
Muslic’s Moment of Glory
Argyle head coach Miron Muslic, who took charge just last month, called the win the “biggest moment” of his coaching career. The Austrian tactician, who replaced Wayne Rooney, could barely contain his emotions.
“Normally, I’m very eloquent, but I’m a little speechless,” Muslic admitted. “It’s Liverpool, it’s the FA Cup—this is the most famous cup competition in the world. We just wanted to represent Argyle as best as possible.”
The team executed Muslic’s game plan flawlessly, staying structured, disciplined, and fearless despite facing one of the world’s top clubs.
“We wanted to be brave, to bring intensity, and to show ourselves on this huge stage,” Muslic said. “The players did an outstanding job.”
A Historic Victory
Liverpool, who fielded a rotated squad, struggled to break down Argyle’s resolute defense. The decisive moment came in the second half when a defensive lapse forced Virgil van Dijk into a mistimed challenge, leading to a penalty. Hardie confidently stepped up and slotted the ball past Liverpool’s keeper, sparking wild celebrations among the home crowd.
Despite relentless pressure from Liverpool’s attacking substitutes in the final minutes, Plymouth held on to secure one of the most memorable victories in their history.
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Having joined the club from Belgian side Cercle Brugge, Muslic is now being hailed as the mastermind behind one of the biggest FA Cup shocks. The 42-year-old, who fled war-torn Bosnia as a child, has quickly established himself as a manager with the ability to inspire and organize his team against elite opposition.
“This is the biggest moment in my career so far, no doubt,” Muslic said. “But my biggest goal is still ahead—keeping Plymouth in the Championship.”
Chairman’s Backing Pays Off
Plymouth chairman Simon Hallett, who took a gamble by appointing Muslic, was not surprised by the win.
“We knew how good he was because of his impact at Cercle Brugge,” Hallett explained. “We used extensive data analysis to evaluate him, and he stood out as a coach who could make a real difference.”
Muslic’s emphasis on high-intensity football and his ability to develop young players made him the perfect fit for Argyle.
“He’s very likeable, and the players respond to that,” Hallett added. “His emotional intelligence is remarkable—he knows how to read the room.”
A Bigger Battle Lies Ahead
While the FA Cup triumph is historic, Muslic remains focused on the club’s primary objective: Championship survival.
“The real biggest moment will come at the end of the season when we stay up,” he said. “This win gives us belief, but we still have a lot of work to do.”
Plymouth’s turnaround under Muslic began during their recent 5-0 defeat to Burnley. At halftime, he urged his players to show courage despite the heavy scoreline.
“That game was a turning point,” Muslic revealed. “We knew we couldn’t change the result, but we could change our mindset. That mentality helped us win at Sunderland, then against West Brom, and now against Liverpool.”
With confidence growing and a manager who has already etched his name into Argyle’s history books, Plymouth’s survival hopes suddenly seem much brighter.
How Muslic Celebrated
Asked how he planned to celebrate the win, Muslic responded with a smile.
“I’m going to go home, re-watch the game, eat some nachos, and drink a Fanta.”
For Plymouth Argyle and their fans, this night will live long in the memory—proof that in football, anything is possible.
