Jean-Philippe Mateta’s rollercoaster season ended in glory as he helped Crystal Palace to deserved victory over Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League final in Leipzig.
Jeered by Palace fans earlier in the season after failing to complete a sought-after move to AC Milan, the now forgiven striker was on hand to steer in a historic strike as Palace secured a place in the Europa League next year with their first European title.
Mateta’s goal sparked delirious scenes from Palace fans who tasted success again in manager Oliver Glasner’s final game.
Glasner departs having delivered three trophies in 12 months despite losing Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi to transfers.
Victory in Palace’s 60th game of the campaign also vindicated the supporters who felt so aggrieved that the club were denied Europa League football unfairly this season.
Such multi-ownership issues will be long forgotten now, with new management having more European trips to now look forward to.
After Aston Villa won the Europa League, and with Arsenal to come in the Champions League final, an all-Premier League sweep of continental titles remains on the cards.
A tense opening was broken with the first chance of the night falling to Alemao but the Rayo striker flicked a volley narrowly wide under pressure.
After a delay for a medical event in the crowd the Madrid side threatened again, with Unai Lopez curling wide from the edge of the area.
Palace’s midfield two of Adam Wharton and Daichi Kamada were knitting together plenty of neat approach play but the Premier League side were lacking in the final third.
Wharton then produced a brilliant cross to the far post to find Tyrick Mitchell for the half’s best chance but the full-back could only head wide.
After the break Palace were well on top and took the lead with Mateta – named in the World Cup squad for France this week – scooping in a rebound after Wharton’s powerful shot was spilled.
Yeremy Pino hit both posts with an incredible free-kick that somehow stayed out and Mateta then saw a close-range shot saved by the legs of Augusto Batalla as the Eagles cranked up the pressure.
Rayo searched desperately for a way back into the game but captain Dean Henderson was largely untroubled as Palace joined West Ham and Chelsea as English winners of the competition.
Palace join England’s roll of honour
Liverpool
- European Cup / UEFA Champions League (6): 1977, 1978, 1981, 1984, 2005, 2019
- UEFA Cup / UEFA Europa League (3): 1973, 1976, 2001
Chelsea
- UEFA Champions League (2): 2012, 2021
- UEFA Europa League (2): 2013, 2019
- UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup (2): 1971, 1998
- UEFA Conference League (1): 2025
Manchester United
- European Cup / UEFA Champions League (3): 1968, 1999, 2008
- UEFA Europa League (1): 2017
- UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup (1): 1991
Tottenham Hotspur
- UEFA Cup / UEFA Europa League (3): 1972, 1984, 2025
- UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup (1): 1963
Nottingham Forest
- European Cup (2): 1979, 1980
Manchester City
- UEFA Champions League (1): 2023
- UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup (1): 1970
Aston Villa
- European Cup (1): 1982
- UEFA Europa League (1): 2026
West Ham United
- UEFA Conference League (1): 2023
- UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup (1): 1965
Arsenal
- UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup (1): 1994
- Inter-Cities Fairs Cup (1): 1970
Leeds United
- Inter-Cities Fairs Cup (2): 1968, 1971
Ipswich Town
- UEFA Cup (1): 1981
Everton
- UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup (1): 1985
Newcastle United
- Inter-Cities Fairs Cup (1): 1969
Crystal Palace
- UEFA Conference League (1): 2026
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: 101greatgoals.com
