Crystal Palace secured the first European trophy in the club’s history on Wednesday after defeating Rayo Vallecano 1-0 in the UEFA Conference League final in Leipzig.
Gatekeepers News reports that France striker Jean-Philippe Mateta scored the decisive goal early in the second half as Palace handed departing manager Oliver Glasner another major success and crushed Rayo Vallecano’s hopes of winning their first major trophy.
The victory capped a remarkable spell under Glasner, who leaves Selhurst Park with three trophies in two years — the most successful era in Crystal Palace’s history.
“I feel fantastic,” Mateta told TNT Sports after the match.
“First time in Europe, we did it! Now I just want to celebrate, I just want to party.
“I’m tired, man. I gave everything. The team gave everything, and that’s why we won today.”
The triumph also fulfilled Glasner’s ambition of returning Palace to the Europa League after the club were demoted to the Conference League this season because of multi-club ownership regulations.
Already a Europa League winner with Eintracht Frankfurt in 2022, the Austrian once again underlined his reputation as a specialist in knockout football.
Palace overcame the departures of key players Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi during the campaign, as well as the disruption caused by Guehi’s January switch to Manchester City, to complete a memorable first full European adventure with silverware.
Mateta, Palace’s hero in the final, was himself close to leaving the club in January after failing a medical ahead of a proposed move to AC Milan.
Crystal Palace also became the third London club in three years to win the UEFA Conference League following West Ham’s triumph in 2024 and Chelsea’s success in 2025, further highlighting the Premier League’s dominance in European competitions.
With Aston Villa having already lifted the Europa League title, Premier League champions Arsenal could complete an English clean sweep in Europe if they defeat Paris Saint-Germain in Saturday’s Champions League final.
Palace received a timely boost before kick-off as midfielder Adam Wharton recovered from an ankle injury to start the final.
Rayo Vallecano entered the match full of confidence after their surprise semi-final victory over Strasbourg and a nine-match unbeaten run.
Despite Palace finishing 15th in the Premier League and Rayo ending eighth in La Liga, both sides knew the final represented their only chance of qualifying for European football next season.
Rayo created the game’s first real opportunity midway through the opening half when Alemao fired narrowly wide.
Palace responded before the break with a golden chance of their own. Wharton delivered a pinpoint cross over the Rayo defence, but Tyrick Mitchell’s header drifted inches past the post.
The breakthrough finally arrived shortly after halftime. Rayo goalkeeper Augusto Batalla parried Wharton’s powerful long-range strike directly into the path of Mateta, who reacted quickest to tap home the winner.
Palace nearly doubled their advantage moments later when Yeremy Pino’s free-kick crashed against both posts before ricocheting off a defender and striking the woodwork for a third time.
In the closing stages, Palace comfortably contained Rayo’s attacks to seal another trophy following last season’s FA Cup triumph and this season’s Community Shield success.
