Jean-Philippe Matetas rollercoaster season ended in glory as he helped Crystal Palace to deserved victory over Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League final in Leipzig.Jeered by Palace fans earlier in the season after failing to complete a sought-after move to AC Milan, the now forgiven striker was on hand to steer in a historic strike as Palace secured a place in the Europa League next year with their first European title.Matetas goal sparked delirious scenes from Palace fans who tasted success again in manager Oliver Glasners final game.Glasner departs having delivered three trophies in 12 months despite losing Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi to transfers.Victory in Palaces 60th game of the campaign also vindicated the supporters who felt so aggrieved that the club were denied Europa League football unfairly this season.Such multi-ownership issues will be long forgotten now, with new management having more European trips to now look forward to.After Aston Villa won the Europa League, and with Arsenal to come in the Champions League final, an all-Premier League sweep of continental titles remains on the cards.A tense opening was broken with the first chance of the night falling to Alemao but the Rayo striker flicked a volley narrowly wide under pressure.After a delay for a medical event in the crowd the Madrid side threatened again, with Unai Lopez curling wide from the edge of the area.Palaces midfield two of Adam Wharton and Daichi Kamada were knitting together plenty of neat approach play but the Premier League side were lacking in the final third.Wharton then produced a brilliant cross to the far post to find Tyrick Mitchell for the halfs best chance but the full-back could only head wide.After the break Palace were well on top and took the lead with Mateta named in the World Cup squad for France this week scooping in a rebound after Whartons powerful shot was spilled.Yeremy Pino hit both posts with an incredible free-kick that somehow stayed out and Mateta then saw a close-range shot saved by the legs of Augusto Batalla as the Eagles cranked up the pressure.Rayo searched desperately for a way back into the game but captain Dean Henderson was largely untroubled as Palace joined West Ham and Chelsea as English winners of the competition.Palace join Englands roll of honourLiverpoolEuropean Cup / UEFA Champions League (6): 1977, 1978, 1981, 1984, 2005, 2019UEFA Cup / UEFA Europa League (3): 1973, 1976, 2001Chelsea UEFA Champions League (2): 2012, 2021UEFA Europa League (2): 2013, 2019UEFA Cup Winners Cup (2): 1971, 1998UEFA Conference League (1): 2025Manchester United European Cup / UEFA Champions League (3): 1968, 1999, 2008UEFA Europa League (1): 2017UEFA Cup Winners Cup (1): 1991Tottenham Hotspur UEFA Cup / UEFA Europa League (3): 1972, 1984, 2025UEFA Cup Winners Cup (1): 1963Nottingham Forest European Cup (2): 1979, 1980Manchester City UEFA Champions League (1): 2023UEFA Cup Winners Cup (1): 1970Aston Villa European Cup (1): 1982UEFA Europa League (1): 2026West Ham United UEFA Conference League (1): 2023UEFA Cup Winners Cup (1): 1965Arsenal UEFA Cup Winners Cup (1): 1994Inter-Cities Fairs Cup (1): 1970Leeds UnitedInter-Cities Fairs Cup (2): 1968, 1971Ipswich Town UEFA Cup (1): 1981EvertonUEFA Cup Winners Cup (1): 1985Newcastle UnitedInter-Cities Fairs Cup (1): 1969Crystal PalaceUEFA Conference League (1): 2026 Topics Crystal Palace F.C. Jean-Philippe Mateta Rayo Vallecano Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read Crystal Palace v Rayo Vallecano: Teams confirmed for Conference League final Tom Rostance 27th May, 2026 Crystal Palace v Rayo Vallecano: Conference League final line-ups, stats and preview, TV channel, live online stream and prediction Ben Miller 26th May, 2026 Crystal Palace Conference League fixtures, results, squad and schedule 2025/26 101 GreatGoals 26th May, 2026 FIFA World Cup 2026: Full France fixtures, schedule, confirmed squad, next match, kick off times Ben Miller 26th May, 2026 Crystal Palace 1-2 Arsenal: Champions celebrate title success after edging past Eagles Jon Fisher 24th May, 2026 Crystal Palace 0-1 Arsenal: Jesus finally scores after spurning several chances Jon Fisher 24th May, 2026
