Crystal Palace Win 2025–26 Conference League Title With Historic Victory Over Rayo Vallecano
Jean-Philippe Mateta scored the winner as Crystal Palace claimed their first European trophy and booked a Europa League place.
- On Wednesday, Crystal Palace defeated Rayo Vallecano to win the 2026 Conference League, with Jean-Philippe Mateta scoring the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory in Leipzig.
- Competing in Europe for the first time, Palace navigated an unlikely path after dropping to the third-tier Conference League due to multi-club ownership rules, though they had been due to play in the more prestigious Europa League.
- Glasner secured his third trophy in his final match, adding the Conference League to the FA Cup and Community Shield won last year, while goalscorer Mateta said "I feel fantastic" and left-back Tyrick Mitchell, a Palace academy graduate, told broadcaster TNT: "It's something that you dream of but you don't think is reality."
- The victory secures Palace a return to the coveted Europa League for next season, with chairman Steve Parish calling it "a dream come true" after a rollercoaster campaign featuring 60 games.
- Glasner's 14-month tenure since taking charge in February 2024 has delivered three major trophies, transforming a club where chairman Parish once questioned whether they'd ever play in Europe, let alone win a continental trophy.
188 Articles
188 Articles
English football club Crystal Palace won the first European Cup in the club's history on Wednesday night when they defeated Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League final in Leipzig.
Record nine Premier League teams confirmed for European competitions
Nine Premier League teams will take part in European competitions next season. This is a joint record for English clubs. Crystal Palace’s 1-0 win over Rayo Vallecano in the UEFA Europa League Conference on Wednesday means they will play in the Europa League. Although they finished in 15th place, Palace now have an immediate return to Europe. Sunderland and Bournemouth will also participate in the Europa League after finishing in seventh and sixt…
Jean-Philippe Mateta Fires Crystal Palace To Conference League Glory In Oliver Glasner Farewell
Jean-Philippe Mateta scored as Crystal Palace beat Rayo Vallecano 1-0 in the UEFA Conference League final in Leipzig on Wednesday to secure the club's first European trophy in their history.
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