Conference League: Crystal Palace defeat Shakhtar to reach historic final

Crystal Palace booked their place in a first-ever European final after completing an emphatic 5-2 aggregate victory over Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Conference League semi-finals.

Holding a 3-1 advantage from the first leg in Poland, Palace sealed their progression with a 2-1 win in the return leg at Selhurst Park thanks to an own goal from Pedro Henrique and a strike from Ismaila Sarr.

Palace manager Oliver Glasner now has the opportunity to cap a remarkable spell at the club by leading the Eagles to European glory.

Palace will face Rayo Vallecano in the final in Leipzig later this month after the Spanish side defeated Strasbourg 2-0 on aggregate in the other semi-final.

“We always talked before, this is why when we were little boys we always wanted to become professional football players,” Glasner told TNT Sports.

“I told the players this is the reward we get, and this is the reward you can’t buy.

“I said this after the FA Cup final in 2025. Now we’re playing the next final together, so it’s amazing what this group of players are doing for Crystal Palace.”

The Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano will take place on Wednesday, May 27, in Leipzig.