LEIPZIG — Crystal Palace defeated Rayo Vallecano 1-0 in the UEFA Conference League final on May 27, 2026, at Red Bull Arena in Leipzig, Germany, securing their first European trophy. Jean-Philippe Mateta scored the match’s only goal in the 51st minute, capitalizing on a rebound after Rayo goalkeeper Augusto Batalla parried Adam Wharton’s long-range shot.
The victory earned Crystal Palace a spot in the 2026-27 UEFA Europa League league phase. The club had originally qualified for the Europa League by winning the 2025 FA Cup but were demoted to the Conference League following a dispute over UEFA ownership rules. Crystal Palace appealed the demotion in court, but the appeal was unsuccessful.
Oliver Glasner coached his final match for Crystal Palace in the final, having announced in January 2026 that he would depart when his contract expired at the end of the 2025-26 season. Glasner became manager in February 2024 and led the team to their first major trophy—the FA Cup in 2025—and concluded his tenure with a European title. After the final whistle, he celebrated by sliding on his stomach between two lines of his players before the trophy presentation.
Mateta, who nearly transferred to AC Milan in January 2026 before the move collapsed due to a failed medical, expressed his elation in a post-match interview. “I feel fantastic! First time in Europe, we did it! Now I just want to celebrate, I just want to party,” he told TNT Sports. He added, “It’s incredible. We did everything. I told you about the intensity we’re going to put. I’m tired right now. I gave everything.” Mateta also praised the traveling supporters, saying, “I’m always with them. They support me as a player a lot, and as a team. They’re always behind us and we did that for them too.”
Wharton started the match despite suffering an ankle knock in the previous game against Arsenal. The first half ended without a shot on target from either side, though Tyrick Mitchell missed a diving header wide in first-half stoppage time. Rayo Vallecano, appearing in their first major final, fielded Isi Palazón, who was returning from a suspension served in La Liga for confronting a referee. Some Rayo fans were seen crying at the final whistle.
Violence preceded the match when fan clashes erupted in Leipzig on May 26, 2026. German police reported that bottles, beer mugs, and furniture were thrown, resulting in two detentions, minor injuries to two officers, and identity checks on more than 300 people. Inside the stadium, Palace fans unfurled a giant banner before kickoff that read “Europa League: Boarding.”