Overview
- Crystal Palace defeated Rayo Vallecano 1-0 in Leipzig, with the decisive result confirmed in full-time reports from Wednesday, May 27, 2026.
- Jean-Philippe Mateta scored the match-winner in the 51st minute after Wharton’s shot was parried by Rayo goalkeeper Batalla.
- Palace controlled the second half and survived late pressure from Rayo, who had earlier finished 8th in LaLiga and were chasing their first major trophy.
- The final was officiated by Italian referee Maurizio Mariani with Marco Di Bello as VAR and drew roughly 39,000 fans to the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig.
- The victory completes a rapid rise for Palace under Oliver Glasner following domestic cup wins and adds to a recent run of English clubs lifting European trophies, with Palace now set to play in next season’s Europa League.