Crystal Palace fended off Shakhtar Donetsk to reach their first major European final, led by the clinical form of Ismaila Sarr and the tactical brilliance of Oliver Glasner.
Crystal Palace moved within 90 minutes of continental glory Thursday night, overcoming a resilient Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 at Selhurst Park to secure their place in the Conference League final. Despite a brief second-half scare, the Eagles maintained their irrepressible form under outgoing manager Oliver Glasner to win 5-2 on aggregate, setting up a showdown with Spanish side Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig on May 27.
Palace survived an early fright from Kaua Elias before breaking the deadlock when Daniel Muñoz’s deflected cutback squirmed past Dmytro Riznyk. Shakhtar leveled via Eguinaldo’s clinical strike, but Ismaila Sarr continuing his sensational European renaissance stabbed home Tyrick Mitchell’s cross to seal the win.
Player Ratings
• Ismaila Sarr (9/10): The Senegal international is a player reborn. His sixth goal in five European games showed elite positioning; he has “repaid every penny” of his fee and remains Palace’s most potent weapon.
• Daniel Muñoz (8.5/10): A “galloping Colombian cheat code.” His tireless work rate forced the opener and nearly assisted a wonder-goal for Mateta.
• Adam Wharton (8/10): Provided the “fizzing shot” that led to the first goal. His ability to drop a shoulder and dictate tempo remains central to Palace’s identity.
• Jean-Philippe Mateta (7.5/10): Unlucky not to score with a “thunderous acrobatic bicycle kick” that rattled the post. His hold-up play was exemplary.
• Dean Henderson (7/10): Made a pivotal stop from Kaua Elias moments before Sarr’s winner, though helpless against Eguinaldo’s perfect top-corner finish.
• Tyrick Mitchell (7.5/10): Provided the “dangerous low delivery” for the winner and remained defensively sound throughout.
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