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Crystal Palace are Conference League champions
Oliver Glasner’s side beat Rayo Vallecano thanks to a goal from Mateta early in the second half.
By Antxon Pascual · 28 May 2026
Crystal Palace have done it again. Having won the FA Cup at the end of last season and the Community Shield at the start of this one – both titles at Wembley – they claimed the Conference League on Wednesday. The London side have thus secured their first ever European title thanks to Mateta’s goal in the 51st minute of the final against Rayo Vallecano.
The Spanish side had the better start to the match, but Alemao failed to capitalise on the best chance to put his side ahead. As the minutes ticked by, Glasner’s men began to dominate the match thanks to a superb Wharton, the man of the match. Shortly before half-time, they had a chance to take the lead, but Mitchell’s header went wide of Augusto Batalla’s goal.
After the break, Crystal Palace continued to dominate, and six minutes in, Mateta capitalised on a rebound from the Rayo Vallecano goalkeeper to put his side ahead. Then came the English side’s best spell, during which they could have doubled their lead from a Yeremi Pino free-kick that struck both posts, and from a clear chance thwarted by Augusto Batalla as Mateta’s shot was heading into the net.
Crystal Palace Honours
- FA Cup 2025
- Community Shield 2025
- Conference League 2026
Final joy and Oliver Glasner’s farewell
In the closing stages of the match, Rayo Vallecano tried to take the initiative, but Iñigo Pérez’s side were unable to create clear-cut chances to trouble Henderson’s goal. Oliver Glasner’s men had the game under control and, at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig, the feeling was that a second goal for the English side was closer than an equaliser for Rayo Vallecano.
As the final whistle blew, euphoria erupted amongst the Crystal Palace fans. And with good reason. A year ago they won their first title, the FA Cup, and at the start of this season they added the Community Shield. Furthermore, they have had to play in the Conference League following the sanction they received at the end of last season, when they had earned the right to participate in the Europa League on the pitch.
Next season they will be able to play in Europe’s second-tier competition as Conference League champions. But they will do so without Oliver Glasner as manager. The Asturian coach is leaving Crystal Palace after two seasons that have been the best in the club’s history at Selhurst Park. Three trophies, one European, and two European qualification spots in two years. Unimaginable and unrivalled.
2025/2026 Premier League Table
- Arsenal 85 points +44
- Manchester City 78 points +42
- Manchester United 71 points +19
- Aston Villa 65 points +7
- Liverpool 60 points +10
- Bournemouth 57 points +4
- Sunderland 54 points -6
- Brighton 53 points +6
- Brentford 53 points +3
- Chelsea 52 points +6
- Fulham 52 points -4
- Newcastle 49 points -2
- Everton 49 points -3
- Leeds United 47 points -7
- Crystal Palace 45 points -10
- Nottingham Forest 44 points -3
- Tottenham 41 points -9
- West Ham 39 points -19
- Burnley 22 points -37
- Wolves 20 points -41
