Crystal Palace began their first full campaign in European competition with a 2-0 victory over Dynamo Kyiv in the UEFA Conference League on Thursday.
Colombian wing-back Daniel Muñoz gave Palace the lead in Lublin – where Dynamo are staging their home games due to the war in Ukraine – with a towering first-half header. Eddie Nketiah doubled the advantage just before the hour, converting a cross from Yeremy Pino, who was outstanding throughout.
The result extended Palace’s unbeaten run to a club-record 19 matches, though their night was slightly soured when Borna Sosa was sent off late on after receiving two quick yellow cards.
Palace earned their European spot by defeating Manchester City in last season’s FA Cup final but were relegated from the Europa League to the Conference League following a breach of UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules. Until now, their only taste of continental football had come in the Intertoto Cup back in 1998.
The Eagles are regarded among the favourites for the competition and will host Cypriot side AEK Larnaca in their next fixture on 23 October. They are also set to face AZ Alkmaar of the Netherlands, Strasbourg of France, Irish outfit Shelbourne and Finland’s KuPS in the league phase.
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