Crystal Palace will face Rayo Vallecano in their first European final after a 2-1 win at Selhurst Park and a 5-2 aggregate victory over Shakhtar Donetsk in the Conference League semi-final, giving the Eagles a place in Leipzig.
Ismaila Sarr put the equalizer beyond doubt after Shakhtar threatened to come back after Eguinaldo’s super shot canceled out his team’s own goal.
Oliver Glasner, who retires after his 50th win at Palace, prepared for a fairytale farewell after managing the most successful spell in the club’s history. Within a year, Palace have the chance to add another Conference League trophy to their cabinet, which includes the FA Cup and Community Shield.
The Eagles will also be able to find some solace in the fact that Nottingham Forest were kicked out of the Europa League by Aston Villa on the same night they reached the final.
Jean-Philippe Mateta’s acrobatic shot hits the post
Forest were part of Palace, who were denied qualification for the Europa League by UEFA last season despite winning the FA Cup.
Palace had a largely uneventful night, with Glasner returning to the same team that had given him a 3-1 advantage in the first leg. Shakhtar posed a threat from the start, but it was Palace who looked sharper.
Elémy Pinot found the back of the net just nine minutes later, but his shot after running into Jean-Philippe Mateta’s flick-on was ruled offside after a VAR check.
But the Colombian was the first to emerge after Daniel Muñoz’s work gave Palace the lead and Adam Wharton’s shot was saved.
His sharp shot found an opening for Pedrinho and past Dmytro Rznik, but Eguinaldo’s top corner in the 34th minute equalized Shakhtar on the night and gave them new hope for a tie.
Jean-Philippe Mateta’s acrobatic shot hit the post before the half-time whistle, but just seven minutes after the restart Sarr scored his 19th goal of the season and ninth of the competition to seal the Eagles’ victory.
The stage is now set for Leipzig, with Palace facing Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday 27th May.
The match kicks off at 8pm UK time and will be held at the Red Bull Arena, home of Bundesliga side RB Leipzig, with a capacity of around 60,000.
Henderson: Coach made this team believe they could win any game.
Crystal Palace captain Dean Henderson told TNT Sports:
“It’s unbelievable for this football club. You can see the connection between the players and the supporters, it’s great. It’s unbelievable.”
“The manager came in and made this team believe they could win any game. It’s obviously been a difficult season considering the number of games we’ve played so far, but it’s great to get to another final.”
“It was difficult. It’s just the number of games. In December and January, the team was small, but now we managed to push through.”
Wharton: You see how much south London means to you.
Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton told TNT Sports:
“It’s just amazing, Selhurst has been the best I’ve been here in just over two years. The atmosphere is incredible and you can see how much that means to a packed stadium in south London.
“It was just an incredible feeling and one I will never forget.
“Everyone at the club, the team, the staff and the fans want to do well for the club. Last year we won our first trophy in 120 years and we are winning another trophy for the fans. It means everything to them. It gives me goosebumps, to be honest. It’s unbelievable.”
“Last year we had an incredible run in the FA Cup. This year it’s our first time in Europe and it’s a huge competition for a club like Crystal Palace. It’s incredibly difficult. December and January were tough with a thin squad, with so many games and so few teams, but we fought hard and the fans stuck with us. This is our reward and our last chance to make a huge impact on the history of Crystal Palace.”
Mr. Glassner: That’s a huge accomplishment.
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Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner praised his side for reaching their first ever European final, where they will face Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League final.
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner:
“It was a great night here at Selhurst Park, a great European night and of course it was the right result.
“It’s a huge accomplishment, a huge celebration and a credit to the players. Their dedication to effort and disciplined work has been exceptional.”
“I always believe that we have a great chance to score a goal. So for me the second goal was maybe when someone needed the last proof about the character of this group. I think I appealed to the fourth official that he should blow the whistle for a foul because I think Jeremy Pino was fouled, but he continued to play.”
“Daichi Kamata got fouled but kept playing. Tyrick Mitchell got fouled but kept playing. And in the end we all got our reward by scoring a goal by damaging Ismaila Sarr’s toenail. So, a great performance and a great European night.”
What will happen to Crystal Palace?
Crystal Palace will return to action in the Premier League on Sunday, May 10th, with the game against Everton to be broadcast live on Sky Sports. Kickoff at 2pm.
Sunday, May 10th 1pm
Kickoff at 2pm
Sunday, May 10th: Everton (h) – 2pm, Premier League, live on Sky Sports Wednesday, May 13th: Man City (a) – 8pm, Premier League, live on Sky Sports Sunday, May 17th: Brentford (a) – 3pm, Premier League Sunday, May 24th: Arsenal (time) – 4pm, Premier League Wednesday, May 27: Rayo Vallecano – 8pm, Conference League Final
