Crystal Palace defeated Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 at Selhurst Park to secure a 5-2 aggregate victory and book their place in the UEFA Conference League final for the first time in club history.
Crystal Palace continued their remarkable rise under Oliver Glasner by reaching the first European final in the club’s history after defeating Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 at Selhurst Park to complete a 5-2 aggregate triumph in the UEFA Conference League semi-finals.
✅ Oliver Glasner won Crystal Palace’s FIRST ever trophy by winning the FA Cup
✅ Oliver Glasner follows it up by winning the Community Shield with Crystal Palace
✅ Oliver Glasner sends Crystal Palace to their FIRST ever European final
Historic legacy. Wow. 🇦🇹👏 pic.twitter.com/ZCmE5IGQP3
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) May 7, 2026
After rotating heavily in their weekend defeat to Bournemouth, Palace restored several key players for what proved to be another unforgettable night in South London. However, it was Shakhtar who made the brighter start as Kaua Elias threatened early on with two promising opportunities.
A historic season capped off with a place in the Conference League final for Crystal Palace 💫#UECL | @CPFC pic.twitter.com/nhNt7O9cVS
— UEFA Conference League (@Conf_League) May 8, 2026
The Brazilian first dragged an effort narrowly wide before later being denied by Dean Henderson, although the offside flag eventually spared Palace any danger. Despite the visitors’ positive opening, the Eagles soon thought they had effectively killed the tie.
A long pass from Chris Richards was cleverly flicked on by Jean-Philippe Mateta, allowing Yéremy Pino to race through and finish confidently into the far corner. The celebrations were short-lived, though, as VAR ruled the Spaniard narrowly offside.
Palace did eventually find the breakthrough midway through the first half. Adam Wharton unleashed a fierce strike from distance that was parried away, but Daniel Munoz reacted quickest to the rebound and his effort deflected into the net off Pedro Henrique for an own goal.
Crystal Palace are in a European final. pic.twitter.com/MukpwIVgag
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) May 7, 2026
Shakhtar responded impressively and levelled on the night nine minutes later through Eguinaldo. The forward received the ball with his back to goal just inside the Palace area, turned sharply and curled a superb finish into the top corner to briefly silence the home crowd.
The hosts regained control shortly after the restart thanks to the red-hot Ismaila Sarr. Picked out by Tyrick Mitchell, Sarr poked home from close range for his sixth goal in five Conference League appearances and his ninth overall in the competition, making him the outright top scorer.
Shakhtar boss Arda Turan attempted to change the momentum with a double substitution, but Palace remained dangerous on the counter-attack and continued to create openings as Mitchell saw another promising chance blocked.
At the final whistle, Selhurst Park erupted in celebration as Palace sealed a historic place in the Conference League final, where they will face Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig.
The #UECLfinal is set.
Crystal Palace 🆚 Rayo Vallecano pic.twitter.com/yUxQ706x2N
— UEFA Conference League (@Conf_League) May 7, 2026
The Eagles are now just one match away from winning only the second major trophy in their 120-year professional history, while Shakhtar can still look forward to a likely return to European competition next season as leaders of the Ukrainian league.
