Crystal Palace secured their place in the Conference League quarter-finals with a dramatic victory over Rayo Vallecano, with Jean-Philippe Mateta scoring the decisive goal in what was Oliver Glasner's final match in charge. The win avenges Palace's earlier exclusion from the Europa League due to multi-club ownership rules, and sets up a potential Europa League campaign next season.
The match, played in Leipzig, saw Palace come from behind in the first half to dominate after the break. Mateta's goal came from a rebound after Augusto Batalla saved Adam Wharton's shot, with the French striker keeping his composure to slot home. Palace then hit the woodwork twice in quick succession, but held on for the win.
Chairman Steve Parish, sitting next to UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, celebrated the club's biggest European night. The victory cements Glasner's legacy as one of Palace's greatest managers, having won three trophies in 12 months. The Austrian manager performed a full-length dive on the pitch before collecting his winners' medal.
Palace fans, numbering 15,000 in Leipzig, unveiled a tifo referencing the club's journey from administration in 2010 to last season's FA Cup triumph. However, 60 Palace fans were ordered to leave the city centre after clashes with Rayo supporters earlier in the week.
