South London club Crystal Palace have secured their first-ever European title, as reported by our sister title London Now.
The Eagles triumphed 1-0 over Rayo Vallecano in the UEFA Europa Conference League final in Leipzig on May 27, with Jean-Philippe Mateta scoring the decisive second-half goal.
The victory guarantees Palace a place in next season’s Europa League and adds to their growing list of achievements under departing manager Oliver Glasner, who also led the club to last season’s FA Cup and Community Shield, London Now reports, where further reaction to the historic win can be read.
Mateta’s goal came in the 51st minute after he reacted quickest to a rebound from Adam Wharton’s shot and fired home from close range.
The French striker, once close to leaving Selhurst Park, remained at the club after a knee issue denied him medical clearance for a desired move to AC Milan.
He marked the goal with his trademark corner-flag kick celebration.
Mr Glasner had said: “the best parting gift his players could give him would be the opportunity to watch them in the Europa League next season.”
Supporters filled the streets of Leipzig in celebration after a fan march from the city centre to RB Arena, while more than 10,000 gathered back home at Selhurst Park to watch the final together.
In true Palace style, fans unveiled a dramatic tifo before kick-off featuring a fan in an 'Ultras 05' shirt—marking the 2005 founding of the Holmesdale Fanatics—staring out an airport window at a departures board that read: “Liquidation cancelled, FA Cup landed, Europa League boarding.”
A banner in the stands read: “This story shall the good man teach his son,” a reference to Henry V’s speech in Shakespeare’s play about the Battle of Agincourt.
Glasner stayed true to his word about only starting fully fit players, naming midfield standout Adam Wharton in the lineup but leaving Chris Richards on the bench.
The match was briefly paused in the first half due to a medical emergency in the stands.
Rayo threatened before the break when Alemao volleyed just wide, and Palace nearly took the lead in first-half stoppage time, but Tyrick Mitchell headed wide from a Wharton cross.
Mateta’s breakthrough in the second half sent the travelling support into celebration.
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Wharton drove a powerful shot at goal that Rayo goalkeeper Augusto Batalla could only parry, with Mateta on hand to turn in the rebound.
Palace almost doubled their lead moments later when a free kick from Yeremy Pino struck both posts, and Mateta’s follow-up also clipped the woodwork.
The missed opportunity led to a tense finish, as Rayo pressed hard for an equaliser during five minutes of added time.
But Palace defended resolutely to see out the result and secure their place in European football history.
The triumph marks the high point of Glasner’s brief but transformative spell in charge, delivering the club’s first continental trophy and another shot at Europe in the coming season.
Mateta’s journey from potential departure to European hero adds another layer to the story.
Just months ago, a desired move to AC Milan left some sections of the Palace support unhappy with the France forward.
Instead, he remained in south London and became one of the central figures in a night that will be remembered for years to come.
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