Jean-Philippe Mateta scored as Crystal Palace beat Rayo Vallecano 1-0 within the UEFA Convention League last in Leipzig on Wednesday to safe the membership’s first European trophy of their historical past.
After a cagey opening half with few clear probabilities, Mateta turned in a rebound for the sport’s solely objective on 51 minutes, sending departing coach Oliver Glasner off in model.
Glasner indicators off with a 3rd trophy in two years as Palace supervisor, probably the most profitable interval within the membership’s historical past, after dashing Rayo’s hopes of touchdown their first main silverware.
“The distinction he (Glasner) has made in two and a half years is unimaginable,” Palace midfielder Adam Wharton advised TNT Sports activities.
“Three trophies, the primary within the historical past of the membership, first European competitors and successful it.
“He is received to be probably the greatest managers Palace have had and he is made an enormous distinction to how the membership appears at competitions now – we’re trying to win it.”
The victory additionally accomplished Glasner’s goal of returning Palace to the Europa League, the competitors they certified to play on this season earlier than falling foul of multi-club possession guidelines and being demoted to the Convention League.
The Austrian, already a Europa League champion with Eintracht Frankfurt in 2022, as soon as once more confirmed his excellence in knockout competitions.
Palace overcame the gross sales of star gamers Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi this season, and the fallout from the latter’s January transfer to Manchester Metropolis, to cap their first full enterprise into European competitors with a title.
France striker Mateta, the hero on the night time, was a failed medical away from leaving Palace for AC Milan this winter.
“I really feel implausible,” stated Mateta. “First time in Europe, we did it! Now I simply need to rejoice, I simply need to get together.
“I am drained, man. I gave every part. The staff gave every part and that is why we received in the present day.”
Palace turned the third London aspect in 4 years to win the competitors, after West Ham in 2023 and Chelsea in 2025, demonstrating the Premier League’s unmatched monetary muscle.
With Aston Villa already Europa League winners, Premier League champions Arsenal can full a clear sweep in European competitors by beating Paris Saint-Germain within the Champions League last on Saturday.
Wharton handed match
Palace acquired a lift simply earlier than kick-off when Wharton overcame an ankle damage to begin.
Underdogs of their semi-final overcome Strasbourg, who belong to the identical BlueCo consortium which owns Chelsea, Rayo arrived in Leipzig driving a wealthy vein of kind, unbeaten in 9 matches.
With Rayo ending eighth and Palace fifteenth of their respective home leagues, each knew victory on Wednesday was their solely hope of returning to the European stage subsequent season.
Rayo had the primary probability of the match when Alemao flashed simply vast of the publish with 25 minutes gone.
Palace spurned a golden probability for the opener simply earlier than the break. Wharton looped an inch-perfect cross over the Rayo defence however Tyrick Mitchell’s header floated simply vast.
The sport burst into life early within the second half as Palace finally discovered their stride.
Rayo goalkeeper Augusto Batalla received two fingers to Wharton’s highly effective shot from the sting of the field however may solely parry the ball into the trail of Mateta, who reacted shortly to faucet dwelling.
Palace got here inside inches of doubling their lead quickly after, as Yeremy Pino crashed a free-kick towards each posts. The ball ricocheted off a defender and struck the woodwork a 3rd time earlier than Rayo in some way managed to clear.
In fact, Palace have been hardly ever troubled after taking the lead, retaining Rayo largely at bay and including one other trophy to final 12 months’s breakthrough FA Cup success and the Neighborhood Protect at the beginning of this season.
