Crystal Palace beat Rayo Vallecano to clinch Conference League title
Premier League side Crystal Palace have clinched the 2025/26 UEFA Conference League following a narrow 1-0 win over La Liga club Rayo Vallecano in the final at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig on Wednesday night.
A second-half goal by forward Jean-Philippe Mateta in the 51st minute when he tapped home a parried ball by goalkeeper Augusto Batalla was enough to seal the victory for Palace.
Palace almost doubled their advantage four minutes later when Yeremi Pino’s free kick from 25 yards out struck both posts before hitting a Rayo defender and then clattering the woodwork again.
Rayo mounted a late pressure in search of an equaliser but Palace players firmly defended their territory to see out the match.
The Conference League was Palace’s third silverware in two seasons after winning the FA Cup last season and the Community Shield at the beginning of the 2025/26 season.
After Aston Villa won the Europa League last week, the Premier League can now complete an European sweep should Arsenal beat Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Saturday.
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