Crystal Palace secured the Europa Conference League title with a 1-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig, with Jean-Philippe Mateta scoring the decisive goal in Oliver Glasner's final match in charge. The win caps a remarkable season for the south London club, who were denied a place in this season's Europa League due to multi-club ownership rules but now qualify for next season's competition.
Steve Parish, the Crystal Palace chairman who rescued the club from administration 16 years ago, sat alongside Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin as his side claimed their second major trophy in as many years, following last season's FA Cup success. Glasner, who performed a full-length dive on the pitch before collecting his winners' medal, cemented his status as the club's greatest manager with a third trophy in 12 months.
After a cagey first half in which Rayo Vallecano dominated possession and created the better chances, Glasner's side emerged transformed after the break. Mateta opened the scoring from close range after Adam Wharton's shot was parried by goalkeeper Augusto Batalla, with the French striker joining teammates in his trademark corner-flag-kicking celebration.
Palace nearly doubled their lead soon after, but Batalla made crucial saves to keep his side in the match. The win was celebrated by 15,000 Palace fans in Leipzig, who had marched to the stadium replicating last year's FA Cup final tradition. However, there were no repeats of the unsavoury scenes from Tuesday when 60 Palace fans were ordered to leave the city centre after clashes with Rayo supporters.
The victory means Glasner can leave Palace with a European trophy, having opted not to risk captain Chris Richards from the start due to injury. Rayo Vallecano, competing in their first final in 102 years, were unable to find an equaliser as Palace held on to claim the Conference League crown.
