French striker, Jean-Philippe Mateta, netted a second half goal that earned Premier League side, Crystal Palace, their first European trophy as the Eagles squeezed out a slim 1-0 victory over Spanish La Liga side, Rayo Vallecano, in the Uefa Europa Conference League 2025/26 final on Wednesday 27 May, 2026 at Red Bull Arena in Leipzig, Germany.
The Frenchman turned home a winner in the 51st minute from close range on the rebound from a strike by Adam Wharton.
Oliver Glasner, who is parting ways with the Club, has helped the Eagles win the FA Cup, Community Shield and now Conference League. The Austrian football manager has only stayed at Selhurst Park for two-and-a-half years.
It was the first time both teams were competing in a European final. The closest chance of the first 45 minutes fell to the English side just prior to the break, when Tyrick Mitchell’s header went wide after Wharton had located the left-wing defender with a fine ball in the box.
The winner came for Crystal Palace just six (6) minutes into the second half when a strike from Wharton was pushed to the path of Mateta by Rayo Vallecano’s goalkeeper, Augusto Batalla, and the France national team player made sure to convert.
Crystal Palace, Champions of Europe ❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/IH4xFdMA3V
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) May 27, 2026
The goal was Mateta’s 16th of the season for Crystal Palace. Yeremy Pino struck both posts with a free-kick before he teed up with Mateta, however, this time Batalla was forced into action and made a fine save.
Rayo Vallecano were unable to record real chances late on and Crystal Palace held on for their glorious moment and made sure to deliver for Glasner in his final game in control as Eagles head coach.
At the end of the day, we always win… pic.twitter.com/qB5Zd2Mtiy
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) May 27, 2026
Photo: Crystal Palace are Winners of Uefa Europa Conference League 2025/26 | Crystal Palace F.C./X
