Crystal Palace beat Rayo Vallecano 1-0 in the UEFA Conference League final in Leipzig, with Jean-Philippe Mateta scoring the winning goal to give Oliver Glasner a perfect farewell.
Glasner oversaw the most successful spell in Palace history, giving the Eagles their first European trophy after winning both the FA Cup and Community Shield within the last 12 months.
Palace will now have the opportunity to achieve further success as they look forward to Europa League football next season.
Mateta himself went from nothing to hero in six months after expressing his desire to leave in the January transfer window, and stayed after a move failed to materialize.
Jean-Philippe Mateta celebrates after scoring the winning goal for Crystal Palace.
In a game where there were few chances until the second half, Mateta instinctively swallowed up the rebound after Adam Wharton’s strike from distance tested Augusto Batala in the Rayo goal.
Until that point, Palace fans had hoped they would not regret Tyrick Mitchell’s missed sitter just before half-time. The Eagles Academy product wasted a superb Wharton cross by heading wide from close range.
Crystal Palace players celebrate Mateta’s goal
Many would argue that, beyond those odds, Rayo were the better team who enjoyed greater possession. But it was Palace who went further ahead with a dominant spell after Mateta broke the deadlock.
Yeremy Pino will not forget his superb free-kick from outside the area which rattled both posts before Mateta struck straight in to clean up the scrap.
Soon after, Mateta had another chance, but this time Batala made a fine save to take the lead.
Mateta was denied a second goal shortly after giving Crystal Palace the lead.
Rayo came to life but the Spanish side, eighth in La Liga and on a nine-match unbeaten run, failed to test Dean Henderson for 90 minutes and added time.
Palace secured Europa League football the hard way after being denied entry to the competition last summer due to UEFA ownership rules. But few will complain now, except for Glasner’s successor, who will have to live up to Europe’s high glory in SE25.
Mateta: Fantastic!
Jean-Philippe Mateta said in an interview with TNT Sport:
“It’s fantastic. We did it. It’s my first time in Europe and I want to celebrate.”
Mateta celebrates victory
“It’s amazing. I’m tired now. We gave everything. That’s why we won.”
Everything was fine at the Palace…
Crystal Palace players celebrate winning the conference league.
Sky Sports’ William Vitibiri:
“Crystal Palace are in the Europa League but it has been a difficult process. Imagine the emotion that has disappeared from this club after one of the best days in the club’s history last May.
“The FA Cup should have offered them Europa League football, but that was rejected after UEFA’s decision. After 60 games, the most in Palace history, the Eagles were still soaring after the departure of club hero Ebereci Eze at Wembley and the departure of club captain Marc Guehi.
“Oliver Glasner may be leaving, but he leaves a legacy that will never be forgotten. A club that was on the brink of relegation when he arrived has now achieved European glory. If I were him I would rethink his decision and the fans would be more than happy to welcome the new signing.
“As far as he is concerned, it is final. Still, Oliver Glasner and these players are the authors of the palace history books of the Golden Age.”
Dean Henderson lifts the UEFA Europa Conference League trophy.
What’s next?
Are you already thinking about the 2026/27 Premier League season?
There’s the World Cup to do first. Follow live blogs of every game on the Sky Sports app. However, key dates will be set for next semester. sky sports Once again we show you at least 215 live Premier League matches.
The summer diary is as follows:
June 11: World Cup Begins – Daily Match List
June 14: Scotland opener v Haiti (2am)
June 15: Summer transfer window opens
June 17: England opener v Croatia (9pm)
June 19: Premier League match schedule revealed (10 a.m.)
July 19: world cup final
August 22-23: Premier League opening weekend
August 27: Champions League league draw
September 1: Transfer deadline (closes at 11pm UK time)
September 8-10: Champions League Matchday 1
May 30, 2027: Last day of the Premier League
