Crystal Palace defeated Rayo Vallecano 1-0 in the UEFA Conference League final in Leipzig with Jean-Philippe Mateta scoring the winner to give Oliver Glasner the perfect farewell.
Glasner has overseen the most successful spell in Palace’s history, leaving the Eagles with their first European trophy after winning the FA Cup and Community Shield all within the last 12 months.
Palace will now have the chance to achieve more success as they look forward to Europa League football next season.
Mateta, himself, goes from zero to hero in the space of six months after expressing a desire to leave in the January window, before remaining after a transfer failed to materialise.
Jean-Philippe Mateta celebrates after scoring the winner for Crystal Palace
In a game of few chances until the second half, Mateta instinctively gobbled up a rebound after Adam Wharton’s strike from range had tested Augusto Batalla in the Rayo goal.
Until that point, Palace fans were hoping they would not live to rue Tyrick Mitchell’s missed sitter on the brink of half-time. The Eagles academy graduate squandered a superb Wharton cross, heading wide from close range.
Crystal Palace players celebrate Mateta’s goal
Many would argue, beyond those chances, that Rayo were the better side, having enjoyed the greater possession throughout. However, it was Palace who could have pulled further in front in a dominant spell after Mateta had broken the deadlock.
Yeremy Pino will not forget his superb free-kick from outside the area that rattled both posts before Mateta hit the upright trying to clean up the scraps.
Another chance fell the way of Mateta shortly afterwards, but on this occasion Batalla came out on top with a superb save.
Mateta was denied a second goal shortly after he gave Crystal Palace the lead
Rayo then sparked into life, but the Spanish side, who finished eighth in LaLiga and were on a run of nine games without a loss, failed to test Dean Henderson across the 90 minutes and added time.
Palace secure Europa League football the hard way, after being denied a spot in the competition last summer due to UEFA ownership rules. However, very few will complain now, other than Glasner’s successor, who will have to live up to the lofty heights of European glory in SE25.
Glasner: I can’t believe this is the last game
Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner speaking to TNT Sports:
“I have to forward the congratulations to the players, to the team, because it was the game that we expected, but I think we played incredible 15 minutes after half-time, where we scored the goal, where we could have decided it.
“Then at the end we defended so well, fantastic evening, and I think it’s really this group of players, this club, these fans deserve to win the Conference League, and that’s why I’m really, really pleased.
“I can’t even believe that this was the last game.
Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner with the UEFA Europa Conference League trophy
“But yes, I took this decision, and I think it’s a chapter. I think it’s a good chapter to read in the Crystal Palace book, but other chapters will follow,
“It’s the same, I said to the players, get now what you deserve after winning the FA Cup, that’s the Europa League.
“So I think now it’s with a one-year delay, the club, the fans, the players did get what they deserved.
“So sometimes, okay, you have to take a round trip, and now we are there. Crystal Palace is where they should be.”
Mateta: Fantastic!
Jean-Philippe Mateta speaking to TNT Sports:
“I feel fantastic. We did it. Our first time in Europe, and I just want to celebrate.
Mateta celebrates the victory
“It’s incredible. I am tired right now, we gave everything, that’s why we won.”
It all worked out for Palace…
Crystal Palace players celebrate their Conference League triumph
Sky Sports’ William Bitibiri:
“Crystal Palace are in the Europa League but had to do it the hard way. Think of the emotion that was stripped from this club after the finest day in the club’s history last May.
“The FA Cup should have offered them Europa League football but, after a UEFA ruling, it was denied. Sixty games later, the most in Palace’s history; after Eberechi Eze – the club’s hero at Wembley – left, after Marc Guehi – the club’s captain – left, the Eagles still soared.
“Oliver Glasner departs but leaves a legacy that will never be forgotten. A club that was teetering on the brink of relegation when he arrived has now achieved European glory. If I were him, I would reconsider his decision; the fans would more than welcome a new deal.
“As far as he’s concerned, it’s final. Still, Oliver Glasner and these players are the authors of the Palace history book in its golden era.”
Dean Henderson lifts the UEFA Europa Conference League trophy
What’s next?
Already thinking about the 2026/27 Premier League season?
There’s a World Cup to fit in first – follow live blogs of every game on the Sky Sports App – but the key dates are locked in for next term, when Sky Sports will once again show at least 215 live Premier League games.
Here’s your summer diary:
June 11: World Cup starts – day-by-day fixture list
June 14: Scotland’s opener vs Haiti (2am)
June 15: Summer transfer window opens
June 17: England’s opener vs Croatia (9pm)
June 19: Premier League fixtures released (10am)
July 19: World Cup final
August 22-23: Premier League opening weekend
August 27: Champions League league phase draw
September 1: Transfer Deadline Day (window closes at 11pm UK time)
September 8-10: Champions League matchday 1
May 30, 2027: Premier League final day
