Crystal Palace win a first European trophy in Leipzig
Jean-Philippe Mateta's second-half strike beat Rayo Vallecano 1–0 at the Red Bull Arena, delivering Crystal Palace their first major European trophy and capping a remarkable rise under Oliver Glasner that also included the 2025 FA Cup and Community Shield.
Mateta seals it
Jean-Philippe Mateta struck in the second half to settle a tight final against Rayo Vallecano, sending the Palace end of the Red Bull Arena into scenes of pure delirium on May 27.
A fifth different winner in five seasons
Palace's triumph continues the Conference League's run of producing a new champion every year since its 2021–22 launch, underlining just how competitive Europe's third-tier club competition has become.
The club's first major European trophy
It's the first continental silverware in Crystal Palace's history, arriving in the same season Oliver Glasner led the club to the FA Cup and Community Shield — a remarkable treble-of-sorts for a club that had never previously won a major honour.
What's next
Palace's reward for winning is a step up into the Europa League for 2026–27, entering the league phase directly as title-holders, while Brighton become England's sole representative in this season's Conference League.
Sources: UEFA, July 2026.