Crystal Palace 1-0 Rayo Vallecano Highlights Download

📅 May 27, 2026 | 🏆 UEFA Conference League Final | 📍 Red Bull Arena, Leipzig | ⏱️ 90′ + Full Time

Match Summary

Crystal Palace made history by winning their first-ever European trophy, defeating Rayo Vallecano 1-0 in the UEFA Conference League final in Leipzig.

Jean-Philippe Mateta’s opportunistic second-half strike was the difference, as Oliver Glasner ended his tenure as Palace manager with a third trophy in 12 months. The Eagles became the first team in 38 years to win a continental trophy on their debut campaign.

First Half: Palace Start Bright, Rayo Grow Into Game

Crystal Palace made an encouraging start, with top scorer Ismaïla Sarr threatening twice in the opening minutes. However, Rayo Vallecano gradually found their rhythm and created the first clear chance of the game in the 25th minute when Alexandre Alemao volleyed narrowly wide from Pep Chavarria’s delivery.

Unai Lopez also drove a low effort past the post in the 39th minute. Clear chances stayed rare as both sides defended with intensity. Palace nearly broke the deadlock in first-half stoppage time when Adam Wharton’s teasing cross found Tyrick Mitchell at the far post, but the defender headed wide.

Second Half: Mateta Strikes and Palace Hold On

The decisive moment came just six minutes after the restart. Adam Wharton drove forward with purpose, found space, and hammered a powerful shot towards goal from distance. Rayo goalkeeper Augusto Batalla could only parry the effort straight into the path of Jean-Philippe Mateta, who reacted quickest to turn the ball home from close range for 1-0.

Palace then threatened to move clear. Yeremy Pino struck both posts with a sensational free-kick, before Batalla denied Mateta a second with a stunning close-range save after Pino had set him up.

Rayo Vallecano pressed late, with Jorge de Frutos hitting the side-netting, Isi Palazon trying a direct free-kick, and Alemao missing in stoppage time, but Palace’s disciplined defense held firm to secure the historic victory.

What They Said

Jean-Philippe Mateta, Crystal Palace Goalscorer:
“I feel fantastic! We did it! First time in Europe and we did it! Now I just want to celebrate. We gave everything and I gave everything.”

Oliver Glasner, Crystal Palace Manager:
“The game went as we expected, but I thought we were incredible in the 15 minutes after the break when we scored. At the end, we defended very well and it was a fantastic night.”

Match Statistics

Statistic	Crystal Palace	Rayo Vallecano
Shots	11	10
Shots on target	3	1
Expected goals (xG)	2.57	0.52
Possession	42%	58%
Accurate passes	234	330
Corners	4	1

Source: UEFA & Sporting News

Match Information

Detail	Information
Venue	Red Bull Arena, Leipzig, Germany
Attendance	39,176
Referee	Maurizio Mariani (ITA)
Date	Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Kick-off	21:00 CET

Starting Lineups

Crystal Palace (3-4-2-1)

GK: Henderson
DF: Riad, Lacroix, Canvot
MF: Munoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell
FW: Sarr, Pino
FW: Mateta (Strand-Larsen, 76′)

Rayo Vallecano (4-2-3-1)

GK: Batalla
DF: Raiu, Lejeune, Ciss, Chavarria
MF: Valentin (P. Diaz, 62′), U. Lopez (Mendy, 62′)
MF: de Frutos (Espino, 70′), Palazon (Akhomach, 77′), A. Garcia (Camello, 70′)
FW: Alemao

Match Timeline

Minute	Event
25′	Chance: Alemao volleys wide for Rayo
39′	Chance: Unai Lopez shoots past the post
45+1′	Chance: Mitchell heads wide for Palace
51′	⚽ GOAL: Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace) – Tap-in from Wharton’s parried shot
56′	🛑 POST: Pino’s free-kick hits both posts for Palace
57′	🛑 SAVE: Batalla denies Mateta a second
76′	Sub: Mateta replaced by Strand-Larsen to applause
90+5′	⏱️ FULL TIME: Crystal Palace 1-0 Rayo Vallecano

🏆 Man of the Match: Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)

The UEFA Technical Observer panel selected Wharton as the Laufenn Man of the Match, stating: “He created the goal and the other two biggest chances for Palace. He showed good positional awareness in a game where the midfield battle was tough.”

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Key Stats: 1 assist (shot leading to goal), 2 key passes, 100% tackle success, 85% pass accuracy.

Historic Context & Records

Record	Detail
First European Trophy	Crystal Palace’s first-ever major European honour
Debut Campaign Success	First team in 38 years to win a continental trophy in their debut season
Glasner’s Farewell	Three trophies in 12 months (FA Cup, Community Shield, Conference League)
Europa League Qualification	Palace qualify directly for 2026-27 Europa League as winners
Expected Goals Dominance	Palace’s 2.57 xG vs Rayo’s 0.52 xG