Crystal Palace vs Rayo Vallecano LIVE!
Crystal Palace are celebrating winning the Conference League. The Eagles lifted their first-ever European trophy at Leipzig’s Red Bull Arena on Wednesday night after a second-half goal from Jean-Philippe Mateta was enough to see off the challenge of LaLiga surprise package Rayo Vallecano in a tense final clash. The France striker turned home the rebound five minutes after half-time after an initial shot from the influential Adam Wharton was pushed into his path by goalkeeper Augusto Batalla.
It should have been more comfortable for Palace, though they could not find a second goal as they somehow hit the post three times in a matter of seconds during a remarkable sequence. Rayo made a late push for an equaliser to force extra time in their first major final of any kind, but did not have enough in attack to seriously threaten the Eagles, who made it the perfect farewell for departing manager Oliver Glasner.
The Austrian will leave Selhurst Park when his contract expires this summer, but does so with quite a legacy after guiding a club who had never previously won any major trophies to three inside the space of just 12 months, following last year’s FA Cup and Community Shield triumphs at Wembley.
Crystal Palace vs Rayo Vallecano latest news
Crystal Palace win Conference League in Glasner's final game Pino hits BOTH posts with brilliant free-kick GOAL! Mateta puts Crystal Palace ahead after break Goalless at half-time after huge Mitchell miss First half delayed after medical emergency in crowdLive updates
Crystal Palace lift Conference League trophy
Crystal Palace lift the Conference League trophy on an unforgettable night in Leipzig.
Winning the competition gives them direct access into next season’s Europa League league phase, a year on from being controversially demoted from the competition after being found by UEFA to have breached rules around multi-club ownership.
There will be no repeat of that this time!
Getty
Getty
PA
PAPitch invasion at Selhurst Park
Standard Sport’s Sam Tabuteau at Selhurst Park viewing party
Palace supporters are on the pitch.
They have done it, they are Conference League winners.
What a night and what a way to say goodbye to Oliver Glasner.
Getty
Getty
PA
PATotal jubilation among the Crystal Palace players and fans as they celebrate the club’s first-ever European trophy success.
And in their first-ever season in Europe, too! Remarkable.
What a way for Oliver Glasner to bow out after a truly incredible 12 months.
The best manager in Palace’s history? Surely.
Tears in the Rayo crowd and on the pitch.
A cruel finish to their own remarkable European campaign, but they can have no complaints over that result.
PA
Getty
GettyCrystal Palace 1-0 Rayo Vallecano
Full-time
CRYSTAL PALACE HAVE WON THE CONFERENCE LEAGUE
Crystal Palace 1-0 Rayo Vallecano
95 mins: That will surely be it for Rayo’s hopes as Alemao chests the ball down and pulls a poor shot well wide of the post.
Crystal Palace 1-0 Rayo Vallecano
94 mins: Strand Larsen’s clearance leads to a long throw-in by Espino, which is headed clear.
What on earth is Pedro Diaz doing shooting from there?!
He claims it was deflected, but a goal kick is signalled.
Glasner asks how much time is left...
Crystal Palace 1-0 Rayo Vallecano
93 mins: Palace aren’t content just to keep the ball in the corner here as Guessand tries to tee up Sarr, who looked to be having his shirt pulled inside the box.
No penalty.
Crystal Palace 1-0 Rayo Vallecano
91 mins: Mitchell and Guessand combine to dispossess Ratiu before the former goes sprinting down the Palace left and into the Rayo box, where he’s met by an important last-ditch challenge by Mendy.
Crystal Palace 1-0 Rayo Vallecano
90 mins: FIVE minutes of added time have now been signalled.
Is there a late twist to come in Leipzig?
Crystal Palace 1-0 Rayo Vallecano
89 mins: Canvot wins a cheap free-kick off Alemao as Palace bleed more crucial time off this clock, denying Rayo the chance to fashion another late chance.
There will be a decent amount of stoppage time to come.
Latest updatesOlder updates