Jean-Philippe Mateta scores the winning goal in the second half as Crystal Palace defeat Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League Final and lift the first European trophy in club history.
Crystal Palace FC captured the UEFA Conference League title with a 1-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano, completing a historic triumph for the London side in a tense final decided by Jean-Philippe Mateta.
The Eagles, considered favorites before kickoff, controlled much of the second half and deservedly lifted the trophy after a composed performance under manager Oliver Glasner. For Crystal Palace, the victory marks another major achievement in what has become the most successful period in the club’s history.
The decisive moment came six minutes into the second half. Adam Wharton’s powerful effort forced a save from Augusto Batalla, but the rebound fell kindly to Mateta, who reacted quickest and bundled the ball into the net from close range to hand Palace the lead.
Before the breakthrough, the match had largely been a tense and tactical affair. Rayo Vallecano arguably looked sharper in the opening half, creating the better opportunities through Alemao and Unai Lopez, while Palace struggled to generate rhythm in attack.
Crystal Palace nearly opened the scoring before halftime when Tyrick Mitchell somehow missed from point-blank range after a dangerous cross from Wharton.
Once ahead, however, the English side took full control of the final. Palace repeatedly threatened to score a second, with Yeremy Pino hitting the woodwork twice during a chaotic sequence that also nearly resulted in an own goal from Oscar Valentin.
Batalla then produced an excellent save to deny Mateta a second goal and keep Rayo alive late in the match, but the Spanish side never managed to create sustained pressure in search of an equalizer.
At the final whistle, celebrations erupted among the Palace supporters as the club secured the first European trophy in its history and added the 2026 Conference League title to the competition’s growing list of champions.
Match Report
Crystal Palace 1-0 Rayo Vallecano
Scorers:
51’ Mateta (Crystal Palace)
Crystal Palace (3-4-2-1)
Henderson; Canvot, Lacroix, Riad; Munoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell; Sarr, Yeremy Pino (80’ Guessand); Mateta (76’ Strand Larsen).
Head Coach: Oliver Glasner.
Rayo Vallecano (4-2-3-1)
Batalla; Rațiu, Ciss, Lejeune, Chavarria; Unai Lopez (63’ Pedro Diaz), Oscar Valentin (63’ Mendy); De Frutos (70’ Camello), Isi Palazon (77’ Akhomach), Alvaro Garcia (70’ Espino); Alemao.
Head Coach: Iñigo Pérez.
Referee: Maurizio Mariani
Yellow Cards: Ciss, Isi Palazon, Wharton, Unai Lopez, Alvaro Garcia, Riad, Mendy, Espino
Red Cards: None
