Crystal Palace are celebrating their Conference League title triumph. The London club defeated Rayo Vallecano 1-0 in the final in Leipzig with Mateta scoring in the 51st minute, making it 2-2 for England, having previously won the Europa League against Aston Villa. Palace also recorded a historic achievement tonight, becoming the first team to win a trophy in their “maiden” appearance in a European competition.
Rayo had the first good moment of the match with Alemao sending the ball a little wide with a close shot in the 25th minute. However, the Londoners missed the big opportunity in the second half when Tyreke Mitchell missed a fish-eye header from the height of the small area. In the 50-60 minute, Rayo suffered! It was a period in which Palace not only opened the scoring but also had the opportunity to “end” the match early. In the 51st minute, Wharton maneuvered outside the area and with a strong shot forced Bataya into a difficult save. However, Mateta had “read” the situation, got the rebound and scored from close range to make it 1-0. In the 56th minute, Pino executed a free kick outside the area with the ball hitting both posts, an incredible moment with Rayo staying “alive” by pure luck. In the 58th minute, Mateta was again in position to score inside the area, but Batalla managed to clear it for a corner.
Perez reacted immediately from the bench by changing both of the team’s midfielders (Lopez, Valentin) since Palace had gained complete control in the center. Rayo balanced the game that… was leaning and started to come forward. They had no other choice. They had some good moments with De Frutos in the 68th minute and Acomas in the 78th minute with Palace having retreated and coming under pressure. However, the Spaniards did not create a “clear” chance and so the Londoners “lifted” their first European trophy and only the second in their 120-year history, after last year’s (2025) FA Cup.
Referee: Maurizio Mariani (Italy)
Yellows: Cis, Palathon, Unai Lopez, Mendy – Wharton, Pino, Riad, Pacha
RAYO VAGCANO (Inigo Perez): Batalla, Ratio, Lejeune, Cis, Chavarria, Valentin (62′ Mendy), Unai Lopez (62′ Pedro Diaz), De Frutos (70′ Cameo), Palathon (77′ Acomas), Garcia (70′ Pacha), Alemao
CRYSTAL PALACE (Oliver Glasner): Henderson, Riad, Lacroix, Canvo, Munyoth, Wharton, Camanda, Mitchell, Sarr, Pino (80′ Gessan), Mateta (76′ Strand-Larsen)