Crystal Palace claimed their first European trophy on Wednesday evening, defeating Spanish side Rayo Vallecano 1–0 in the UEFA Europa Conference League final, held at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig, Germany. A second-half goal from French striker Jean-Philippe Mateta proved enough to secure victory for the south London club, in what was a historic night for both teams — each appearing in a European final for the very first time.
The match was a tightly contested affair, particularly in a subdued first half between Palace, who finished fifteenth in England's Premier League, and Rayo Vallecano, who ended eighth in Spain's La Liga. The breakthrough came six minutes into the second half, when a shot from midfielder Adam Wharton was spilled by Rayo goalkeeper Augusto Batalla, and Mateta pounced on the rebound to slot home. Palace then came agonisingly close to extending their lead when a free kick from Yéremi Pino struck both posts in remarkable fashion, with the ball even bouncing off a Rayo defender and hitting the woodwork a third time. Batalla also produced a fine save to deny Mateta a second goal as Crystal Palace pressed for a more comfortable margin.
Rayo Vallecano, coached by Íñigo Pérez, threw everything forward in search of an equaliser, and the team from the Vallecas district of Madrid showed the spirit and relentless pressing that had brought them to the final. But Oliver Glasner's Palace side — praised for their pace, organisation and attacking quality — held firm as the roar of the English supporters in the 40,000-capacity stadium grew louder in the closing stages.
The victory adds to a remarkable run of silverware for Crystal Palace. It is their third major trophy in just one year, following FA Cup and English Community Shield successes in 2024, and only the third piece of major silverware in the club's 120-year history. Crystal Palace also become the third English club in four years to win the Conference League, after West Ham United and Chelsea. The triumph is bittersweet in one respect: manager Oliver Glasner, the 51-year-old Austrian who transformed the club's fortunes, had already announced his departure and Wednesday's final was his last match in charge.
The Conference League, now in its fourth edition, was created by UEFA in 2021 to give clubs outside Europe's traditional elite a competitive continental stage. For both Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano, reaching the final represented a landmark achievement — but it is the London side who depart Leipzig as champions.