Overview
- Crystal Palace beat Rayo Vallecano 1-0 in Leipzig on Wednesday when Jean-Philippe Mateta finished a rebound created by an Adam Wharton shot to decide the UEFA Conference League final.
- Mateta's goal came early in the second half after Rayo keeper Augusto Batalla failed to hold Wharton's strike, and Palace then defended the lead despite late pressure from the Spanish side.
- Play was briefly stopped in the first half for a medical emergency in the stands before the match resumed and concluded without further incident.
- The trophy is the first European title in Crystal Palace's history and secures the club a spot in next season's UEFA Europa League plus a significant UEFA prize payout reported at roughly €18.5 million.
- The win completes a rapid rise under manager Oliver Glasner following recent domestic cups and marks Rayo Vallecano's deepest international run to date, a milestone that raises both clubs' profiles and revenue prospects.