Crystal Palace claimed their first European trophy on Wednesday evening, defeating Rayo Vallecano 1-0 in the UEFA Conference League final at Leipzig Stadium. Jean-Philippe Mateta's second-half winner sealed a historic night for the Eagles — and a fairytale send-off for outgoing manager Oliver Glasner.

Glasner departs Selhurst Park having delivered the most successful era in Crystal Palace's history. In less than 12 months, the Austrian guided the club to FA Cup glory, a Community Shield, and now a European title. His successor inherits a squad heading into UEFA Europa League football next season.

Mateta's moment of instinct

Few would have predicted Mateta would be the match-winner given his desire to leave the club in January. A transfer failed to materialize, and the French forward remained — a decision that proved pivotal on the night.

His goal was a product of sharp reflexes. Adam Wharton unleashed a powerful long-range effort that Augusto Batalla could only parry, and Mateta pounced on the rebound to send Palace supporters into raptures.

Palace had earlier spurned a gilt-edged opportunity just before the break, when Tyrick Mitchell squandered a precise Wharton cross, heading wide from close range. It was the kind of miss that tends to haunt teams in finals.

Rayo threaten but fail to test Henderson

By most measures, Rayo Vallecano were the superior side for long stretches — they dominated possession and arrived in Leipzig having gone nine matches without defeat in LaLiga. Yet the Spanish side never truly threatened Dean Henderson's goal throughout the 90 minutes and added time.

Yeremy Pino came closest for Rayo, curling a superb free-kick from outside the box that struck both posts. Mateta, at the other end, also struck the upright in the scramble that followed before Batalla produced a fine save to deny him moments later.

Palace weathered the storm and held firm as Rayo pressed late, claiming a trophy that almost eluded them for an entirely different reason — UEFA's ownership regulations had blocked their path into the Europa League the previous summer, rerouting their European journey through the Conference League instead.

A legacy sealed in Leipzig

Glasner lifts the Conference League trophy as his final act in charge of Crystal Palace, leaving behind a legacy that the Selhurst Park faithful will celebrate for years. His successor faces the challenge of sustaining that momentum — and matching the lofty standard set over these remarkable 12 months.