LEIPZIG, GERMANY - MAY 27: Goalkeeper of Crystal Palace Dean Henderson raises the trophy as Cyrstal Palace players celebrating the Conference League final victory with the trophy during the Conference League match between Crystal Palace v Rayo Vallecano at the Red Bull Arena on May 27, 2026 in Leipzig Germany Halil Sagirkaya / Anadolu (Photo by HALIL SAGIRKAYA / Anadolu via AFP)
Jean-Philippe Mateta scored the decisive goal as Crystal Palace secured their first European trophy with a 1-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano in the UEFA Conference League final in Leipzig.
The French striker tapped home from close range six minutes into the second half after Rayo goalkeeper Augusto Batalla parried Adam Wharton’s effort into his path.
The victory marked a historic milestone for Palace and provided a befitting farewell for manager Oliver Glasner, who leaves the club after guiding the Eagles to the FA Cup, Community Shield and Conference League titles during a remarkable two-and-a-half-year spell.
Both sides were playing in their first European final and produced a cautious opening half. Rayo came closest through Alemao and Unai Lopez, while Palace’s best chance before the break fell to Tyrick Mitchell, who headed wide from Wharton’s cross.
Mateta’s goal ultimately proved enough despite late pressure from the Spanish side. Yeremy Pino struck both posts from a free-kick and later created another chance for the Palace forward, but Batalla denied him with a fine save.
Rayo, one of La Liga’s smallest-budget clubs, struggled to create clear openings in the closing stages as Palace held firm to seal a memorable triumph and send Glasner off with another trophy.
Oluwagbemisola Babalola
