Crystal Palace claimed their first-ever European title after beating Rayo Vallecano in the UEFA Conference League final in Leipzig, sealing two major pieces of football history in the process.
In Oliver Glasner’s final game in charge, Palace defeated the La Liga side 1-0 to secure qualification for next season’s Europa League. UEFA had originally demoted the 2025 FA Cup winners from the competition following a controversial ruling earlier this season.
Jean-Philippe Mateta scored the winning goal five minutes into the second half. The striker tapped home after Adam Wharton’s shot spilled loose before celebrating with his trademark corner-flag routine as Palace supporters erupted in celebration.
Palace will now join Bournemouth and Sunderland in next season’s Europa League after qualifying directly for the league phase through their European triumph.
Although the victory does not hand the Premier League an extra European place, it ensures that England will have a record nine clubs competing in Europe for the second consecutive season.
Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa and Liverpool will compete in next season’s Champions League. Liverpool secured qualification through the European Performance Spot despite finishing fifth in the Premier League.
Brighton also booked another Conference League campaign after finishing eighth ahead of Brentford on goal difference.
Evann Guessand Sets Unique European Record
Ivory Coast international Evann Guessand also made history during the Conference League final.
The former Nice forward became the first player ever to win two European trophies in the same season.
Aston Villa signed Guessand for £30.5 million in August, and he made seven Europa League appearances while scoring twice as Unai Emery’s side lifted the trophy.
Villa later loaned the 24-year-old to Palace in January, where he made 13 appearances, including six during the club’s Conference League-winning run.
Guessand scored against Zrinjski Mostar in the play-off round in February and came off the bench in the second half of the final to help Palace secure victory.
The achievement marks an unprecedented feat in European football.
Former Manchester United winger Antony nearly achieved the same milestone last season. He helped Real Betis reach the Conference League final, where Chelsea defeated the Spanish side 4-1. Meanwhile, Manchester United, Antony’s parent club at the time, lost the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur in an all-English clash.
With Palace and Aston Villa both lifting European trophies, Premier League clubs have now won multiple major European titles in the same season for the first time since 2019.
Arsenal could add another chapter to that record if they defeat Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final in Budapest on Saturday.
