Crystal Palace have won the UEFA Conference League to claim a first European trophy in the club’s history.
Jean-Philippe Mateta scored the only goal as Palace beat Spanish side Rayo Vallecano 1-0 in Leipzig on Wednesday.
Mateta netted in the 50th minute, tapping in from six yards after Rayo goalkeeper Augusto Batalla parried Adam Wharton’s long-range strike into his path.
The match at the Red Bull Arena was goalless at half-time before Palace broke through early in the second half.
Its result gives the Eagles a second big trophy in just over a year, following their FA Cup win at Wembley in 2024.
Also, the game indicates the end of manager Oliver Glasner’s tenure at Selhurst Park.
The Austrian, who won the Europa League with Eintracht Frankfurt before joining Palace, announced in January that he would depart after more than two years in charge.
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"I feel fantastic. We did it, now we just have to celebrate and enjoy the party. We gave everything and he gave everything and that’s why we won today. The fans support me a lot and we did it, of course, for them too," Mateta said after the game.
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Jean-Philippe Mateta holding the trophy |
Palace become the third English club to lift the Conference League since it began in 2021, after West Ham and Chelsea.
The win comes a week after Aston Villa won the Europa League for their first major trophy in 30 years.
English clubs could complete a clean sweep of European competitions this season.
Premier League winners Arsenal face holders Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final in Budapest on Saturday.
Fans who did not travel to Germany gathered at Selhurst Park to watch Palace make history.
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