Crystal Palace 2-1 Shakhtar Donetsk (Agg: 5-2): Eagles into first-ever European final after easing through Conference League semi-final
Report as Crystal Palace secure spot in their first European final; Shakhtar scored an early own goal before Eguinaldo struck to level things up; Ismaila Sarr put the tie beyond doubt early in the second half as Palace cruised; Palace to play Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig final on May 27
Friday 8 May 2026 00:40, UK
Crystal Palace will take on Rayo Vallecano in their first European final after a 2-1 win at Selhurst Park and a 5-2 aggregate Conference League semi-final victory over Shakhtar Donetsk helped the Eagles book a place in Leipzig.
Ismaila Sarr put the tie beyond doubt after Shakhtar had teased a comeback when Eguinaldo's super effort cancelled out his side's own goal.
With the 50th win of his Palace reign, the outgoing Oliver Glasner has set up a potential fairy tale farewell after presiding over the most successful spell in the club's history. In the space of a year, Palace have the chance to add the Conference League trophy to a cabinet that includes the FA Cup and Community Shield.
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The Eagles can also find some solace in the fact that on the same night they reached the final, Nottingham Forest were dumped out of the Europa League by Aston Villa.
Forest had played a part in Palace being denied a spot in the Europa League by UEFA despite winning the FA Cup last season.
Palace enjoyed a largely untroubled evening, with Glasner reverting to the same side that had earned the 3-1 advantage in the first leg. Shakhtar had threatened early on but it was Palace that had the sharper cutting edge.
Yeremy Pino had found the net, with a clinical finish, after just nine minutes, but his effort after running onto a Jean-Phillipe Mateta flick-on was ruled offside following a VAR check.
Daniel Munoz's efforts led to Palace's opening goal, though, with the Colombian first on the scene after Adam Wharton's strike was saved.
His drilled effort took a nick off Pedrinho and flew past Dmytro Riznyk, but Eguinaldo found the top corner to draw Shakhtar level on the night, and give them renewed hope in the tie, in the 34th minute.
Jean-Philippe Mateta's acrobatic attempt cannoned off the post before the half-time whistle, but just seven minutes after the restart, Sarr scored his 19th of the season and ninth in the competition to make absolutely sure for the Eagles.
The stage in Leipzig is now set, with Palace taking on Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday, May 27.
The match kicks off at 8pm UK time and is being held at the Red Bull Arena, the home of Bundesliga side RB Leipzig, with a maximum capacity of around 60,000.
Henderson: The manager made this team believe we can win any game
Crystal Palace captain Dean Henderson on TNT Sports:
"It's incredible for this football club. You see the connection between the players and the supporters, it's fantastic. It's unbelievable.
"The manager came in, and he made this team believe we can win any game. It's been a difficult season, obviously, with the amount of games we've played - but we've delivered another final, which is fantastic.
"It's been difficult. Just the number of games. We had a small squad leading into December, January but we've managed to push through now."
Wharton: You can tell how much it means to south London
Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton on TNT Sports:
"It is just amazing, this is the best Selhurst has been in my just over two years here, the atmosphere is unbelievable, you can tell how much it means to south London, packed stadium.
"It is just an incredible feeling and one I will never forget.
"Everyone at the club, the team, the staff, the fans, wants to do well for the club. First trophy in 120 years last year and we are trying to get another for the fans; it means everything to them. Honestly, you get goosebumps; it's incredible.
"Last year we had an incredible run in the FA Cup and this year, first time in Europe and for a club like Crystal Palace, it is massive. It's incredibly difficult, so many more fixtures, small squad, we were running thin in December and January, it was tough, but we grinded through it and the fans stuck by us. This is the reward we get and one final chance to make a massive statement on Crystal Palace history."
Glasner: It's a huge achievement
Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner:
"Great night here at Selhurst Park, a great European night and of course it was the right result.
"Huge achievement, huge congratulations and credit to the players. The commitment to the effort, the disciplined work, was, I would say, exceptional.
"I always believe that we have great chances of scoring goals. So, for me, the second goal was maybe if somebody needed the last evidence about the character of this group, because I think I complained to the forth official that the referee should whistle a foul because I think Jeremy Pino was fouled, and continued playing.
"Daichi Kamada was fouled, and continued playing.Tyrick Mitchell was fouled, and continued playing. And at the end, we all got the reward, which is Ismaila Sarr's toenail and scoring a goal. So, yeah, huge performance and huge European night."
What's coming up for Crystal Palace?
Crystal Palace return to Premier League action on Sunday May 10, against Everton, live on Sky Sports; kick-off at 2pm.
- Sun May 10: Everton (h) - 2pm, Premier League, live on Sky Sports
- Wed May 13: Man City (a) - 8pm, Premier League, live on Sky Sports
- Sun May 17: Brentford (a) - 3pm, Premier League
- Sun May 24: Arsenal (h) - 4pm, Premier League
- Wed May 27: Rayo Vallecano - 8pm, Conference League final
