Match report
Time to sign off – I’ll leave you with Ed Aarons’ report from a rocking Selhurst Park. Goodnight!
“This is what our fans deserve, because they are always behind the team,” Glasner adds. “A ninth away trip in this tournament, and they can enjoy it. It was our 55th game (of the season) today, and nobody looked fatigued.”
“For me personally, this final is massive,” Glasner adds. “After I announced I would leave, my duty was to work even harder, to make our fans proud. It’ll be a fantastic last game (for me), playing for European silverware. We’ll give it everything we have.”
Oliver Glasner: “I think everyone saw how good Shakhtar are, but the second goal showed everything about this team. I told the players, this is the reward you can’t buy – I said it after the FA Cup final and again tonight.”
“They support each other, they work hard, the defenders celebrate together. This is what defines this group, a great mentality,” he says, before adding that there’ll be no training tomorrow. “We were tired after the first leg, so I’ll let them enjoy it tonight.”
While we wait for some Glas-chat, Dave Konopka writes: “As an Arsenal fan, I’m thoroughly pleased with this result.”
Arsenal’s final Premier League fixture is at Selhurst Park on 24 May, three days before the Conference League final – and six before their showdown with PSG. But, respectfully, that’s enough about Arsenal.
A coefficient update from Rogorn Moradan: “Because Rayo have qualified for the final AND have won both legs of their semi, Spain will have five teams in the Champions League next season, with Betis the most likely to get the extra place.”
Aston Villa have beaten Forest 4-0 on the night, and 4-1 on aggregate – completing a trio of English sides in this year’s European finals.
Champions League PSG v Arsenal, Budapest, 30 May
Europa League Freiburg v Aston Villa, Istanbul, 20 May
Conference League Crystal Palace v Rayo Vallecano, Leipzig, 27 May
Mateta is more hyped than anyone, leading a crowd singalong and excitedly asking who they’ll play in Leipzig. “Rayo Vallecano? Do we have a chance? Yes, we have a chance!” And off he goes, puffer jacket billowing behind him.
Dean Henderson and Jean-Philippe Mateta are chatting to the TNT Sports crew, which includes Palace stalwart Joel Ward. “It’s been difficult, the amount of games with a small squad,” says Henderson.
“Winning the FA Cup gave us confidence, we’ve got an ambitious group of players. It’s unbelievable, but we’ve got to win the final and get what we deserve.” That, of course, is a reference to the Europa League, which Palace originally qualified for.
Adam Wharton: “It’s amazing, the atmosphere is exceptional, the best I’ve ever heard here. You can see what it means to South London.”
“Everyone just wants to do well for the club, a first trophy last year and we want to win another for the fans,” he adds. “We were running thin in December, January, it was tough, but this is our reward.”
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Stick with us for reaction from Selhurst Park as we get it. Over in Strasbourg, the hosts won a late penalty but missed it – and Rayo Vallecano have now booked their place in the Conference League final against Palace.
Full time: Crystal Palace 2-1 Shakhtar Donetsk (5-2 on agg)
Palace had to battle through some tough moments but were good value for their win, secured by Ismaila Sarr’s second-half goal. They advance to their first major European final, in Leipzig on 27 May.
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90 mins: Traore steers a tame shot at Henderson as Palace fans begin to party in earnest. The job is done!
89 mins: It’s still Strasbourg 0-1 Rayo Vallecano (0-2 on agg), and there will be just one minute of added time at Selhurst Park.
88 mins: Palace make more changes: the excellent Kamada is replaced by Jefferson Lerma, Will Hughes is on for Adam Wharton and Nathaniel Clyne takes the place of the relentless Daniel Munoz.
87 mins: Lacroix urges the Palace faithful to raise the volume one more time, and they duly oblige. The final is just a few minutes away now.
86 mins: At the other end, Kamada finds Munoz with an outrageous diagonal long ball, but his cross sails beyond Larsen and Wharton.
84 mins: Eguinaldo, Shakhtar’s brightest attacking spark, almost steers a through ball into Traore’s path, but it’s just beyond the big striker.
83 mins: Every Palace player is inside their own half now as they run the clock down. Villa, meanwhile, have a fourth against Forest. It’s McGinn again.
81 mins: Traore sends a poor shot wide of goal, and a tired-looking Shakhtar are running out of time.
Aston Villa lead Forest 3-0, a dramatic second-leg comeback complete. It’s John McGinn with the third goal and they’re heading to a final with Freiburg (probably – Braga have just pulled one back).
79 mins: Shakhtar move forward with a series of nice angled passes, before Lacroix steps in to intercept. Centre-back Matviyenko, who’s keen on a long shot, sends one high and wide of goal.
76 mins: Almost game over here, as Munoz feeds the ball into Larsen, who turns his marker and sees his close-range shot ping away off Riznyk’s heel.
75 mins: A change for Shakhtar as Brazilian playmaker Pedrinho is replaced by Brazilian playmaker Lucas Ferreira. Lassina Traoré gets a shot away, but it takes a deflection and bobbles through to Henderson.
73 mins: Kamada draws a foul in the Palace half to end a spell of lukewarm Shakhtar pressure. Elsewhere, Freiburg are 3-0 up (4-2 on agg) against Braga, and are heading to the Europa League final in Istanbul.
71 mins: The game has lost its rhythm, with Palace’s second goal taking the wind from Shakhtar sails. Jorgen Strand Larsen is on for Mateta, Oli Glasner’s first change of the night.
“In response to Mitchell, whilst I understand the sentiment if you removed the ‘big five’ leagues, then would the attendances at the games be enough to finance the competition?” wonders Ian.
I think that’s the difficulty – it’s devalued if it’s not a truly Europe-wide tournament. On the other hand, it’s looking like an England-Spain final again, albeit one with a more romantic vibe than last year.
Aston Villa lead 2-0 on the night, and 2-1 on aggregate. Can Forest fight back? John Brewin is watching.
65 mins: Pedrinho gets his half-volley on target, Henderson grabbing the ball to his left – but the offside flag has gone up.
An alternative argument: “The Conference League is a great competition isn’t it?” writes John Breenan. “A possible final between Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano, what’s not to like about that?”
John also wonders: “After the furore about dropping down to Conference League, has it been better for Palace than being in the Europa League?” Palace fans, get in touch.
61 mins: From the throw-in, the ball bobbles across goal where is met by Mateta’s telescopic leg. Sadly, his effort is overhit and flies off in the direction of the South Norwood Morley’s.
60 mins: Mitchell, who alongside fellow wing-back Munoz has been excellent, takes aim from 25 yards out but sees his shot deflected away for a throw in.
“Unpopular opinion,” warns Mitchell Porter. “I think that we should remove the top five European leagues from the Conference League and keep it for the leagues that don’t have their finances.”
59 mins: The Palace back three stroke the ball around, trying to build those possession stats – it’s currently 68% to 32% in Shakhtar’s favour. Not that it really matters.
56 mins: Changes for Shakhtar, as Lassina Traore replaces the busy but wasteful Elias. Newerton is also on, replacing holding midfielder Oleh Ocheretko.
That was Palace at their devastating best on the break, and Shakhtar now need three goals to force extra time. “Que sera sera, whatever will be will be, we’re going to Germany,” sing the exultant home fans.
GOAL! Crystal Palace 2-1 Shakhtar (5-2 on agg) Sarr 52'
Palace break away in trademark style and after the referee plays at least two advantages, Mitchell crosses and Sarr flicks across goal, and in off the far post!
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51 mins: Save! An unfortunate ricochet presents the ball to Elias, who drills it low and hard from a tight angle. Dean Henderson stands up and gets a foot on the ball …
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50 mins: Isaque shows a first flash of skill as he tries to thread a pass into Elias’ feet – but it’s just overhit and Henderson snaffles the ball.
48 mins: Wharton links up with Mitchell, whose cross just evades Mateta. Wharton picks it up again and lifts the ball back into the mixer, where Riznyk grabs it under pressure from Mateta and Munoz.
47 mins: Will Palace look to be a touch less reactive in this half? They’ve started with a steady spell of midfield possession …
Second half
Arda Turan makes a second Shakhtar change, with Alisson Santana heading off. He’s replaced by Isaque Silva, a teenage talent from (you guessed it) Brazil.
Rayo Vallecano lead Strasbourg 1-0 (2-0 on agg) at half-time, and are on course for the final in Leipzig. Which begs the question: are Rayo the Spanish Crystal Palace? It feels like a good fit, but thoughts welcome.
Elsewhere at half-time, Villa lead Forest 1-0, making it 1-1 on aggregate. The winner will probably play Freiburg in the Europa League final; they lead 2-0 (3-2 on agg) at home to 10-man Braga.
“In the light of Peter Oh’s email (best of the season, I’d contend), I’ll be really happy with either of these teams going through, and either of Forest or Villa too,” writes Gary Naylor.
“What I’m wondering is whether that makes for a better night than the usual partisan stance of wanting the usual suspects sent packing ASAP? I suspect not – a bit sadly.”
Half time: Crystal Palace 1-1 Shakhtar (4-2 on agg)
Palace emerge from a testing first half with their two-goal cushion intact. Pedro Henrique’s own goal put them in charge, but Eguinaldo’s silky equaliser means Shakhtar aren’t done just yet.
45+2 mins: Shakhtar’s final attacking foray of the half ends with Pedro Henrique fouling Sarr.
45 mins: Three minutes of stoppage time. In the other semi-final, Rayo Vallecano lead Strasbourg 1-0 on the night, and 2-0 on aggregate. Good news for el coeficiente.
Palace hit the post! After soaking up a spell of pressure, Palace push forward and Mateta connects acrobatically with Munoz’s cross. His effort beats Riznyk but clips the outside of the post!
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No penalty! The ball hit Mateta on the thigh and bounced on to his arm – and VAR doesn’t seek to intervene after the referee waves play on.
40 mins: Palace are hanging on a bit as half-time approaches, and Shakhtar have a corner, pinged towards the near post by Alisson – and there’s a big shout for handball!
There’s a goal at Villa Park – but which way has it gone, John Brewin?
37 mins: Shakhtar still need two goals to pull level on aggregate, but they look capable. Alisson is involved again here, thudding an effort a few feet over the bar.
35 mins: Woof! Seconds after the restart, Sarr sends a long shot not far wide of goal. The pace is relentless.
GOAL! Crystal Palace 1-1 Shakhtar (4-2 agg) Eguinaldo 33'
Shakhtar keep the ball and Henrique slips it sideways to Eguinaldo, who takes a touch and gently lifts the ball into the top corner! There’s a split-second of confusion before the away fans celebrate.
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32 mins: Munoz storms upfield and hits a shot straight at Riznyk, and Shakhtar counter at equivalent speed, with Alisson’s shot well blocked at the far post …
29 mins: Shakhtar make a change, with right-back Tobias replaced by Alaa Ghram. Not sure if that’s due to an injury or whether the visitors will change shape.
28 mins: With the home fans in full voice, Mateta nicks the ball after a defensive mix-up, and sends in a low shot that Riznyk saves comfortably enough.
GOAL! Crystal Palace 1-0 Shakhtar (4-1 on agg) Pedro Henrique og 25'
It works perfectly as Palace pour forward, with Wharton’s shot from the edge of the area parried out wide by Riznyk. Munoz gets to it first and his attempted cross flies in off the unfortunate Pedro Henrique!
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24 mins: Shakhtar are keeping the ball in the Palace half, moving it around patiently with their hosts happy to try and hit them on the break …
21 mins: Moments later, another ball into the Palace area causes flutters of anxiety, before Alisson wins a corner … which Ismaila Sarr clears smartly away for a Palace throw.
20 mins: Alisson Santana almost stretches to reach a diagonal ball, but Henderson is there to collect it.
18 mins: Kamada intercepts in midfield and Palace break away; he plays in Mitchell down the left and the wing-back does brilliantly to shake off Tobias at the byline. His low cross is begging to be smashed into the net, but nobody’s there to meet it.
16 mins: Another Brazilian gets involved (there are seven in Shakhtar’s starting line-up) as right-back Tobias swings in a hopeful cross with the outside of his boot.
14 mins: Shakhtar move the ball around the Palace half before Elias’ downward header is blocked. Mateta looks to pick up the loose ball but is scythed down by Bondar, who is booked.
12 mins: One of Shakhtar’s Brazilian cohort, Alisson Santana, tries but fails to connect with a scissor kick.
No goal! Chris Richards heaves the ball upfield and Mateta nods it on for Yeremy Pino, who races through and finds the bottom corner – but there’ll be a VAR check, with Pino looking very close to offside. And the goal is (eventually) chalked off. Harsh on Pino, currently on a 17-game barren run.
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8 mins: Mateta looks for Sarr with a through ball that’s cut out with little fuss.
7 mins: Palace push forward through Kamada, but Pino’s backheel is a little awkward for Mitchell, stalling his forward momentum.
5 mins: Ocheretko is down after a clash of heads with Daniel Munoz, and looks dazed as he gets to his feet after a chat with the physio.
4 mins: Palace pounce on a loose pass and Pino looks for Kamada down the left, but the attack is quickly shut down.
3 mins: Now Eguinaldo gets on to Elias’ path and shoots low at Henderson – before the flag goes up.
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2 mins: An early sight of goal for Shakhtar, with Elias sending a scuffed effort wide. A helpful reminder for Palace that this is far from over.
1 min: Wharton’s early attempted through ball runs through to Riznyk in the Shakhtar goal.
First half
Here we go, then. Palace are in their usual red and blue stripes, Shakhtar in a cream-coloured change kit. Referee Alejandro Hernández gets us under way.
“Glad All Over” is bellowed out around the ground as both sets of players walk on, the Shakhtar team draped in Ukraine flags. Kick-off is moments away …
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There is, of course, another big European tie tonight. With an English team guaranteed to reach the Europa League final, Palace are bidding to complete an unprecedented full set of three European finals featuring an English team this season.
It’s been a busy week for this sort of thing …
“I live in a part of California with a sizeable community of Ukrainian expats and have met many cool people through pickup footy,” writes Peter Oh. “I wanted Ukraine to qualify for the World Cup and I feel for Shakhtar Donetsk, having been displaced from their home city and ground due to military occupation.
“The task of overturning the deficit is probably too much, but I’ll be rooting for them in their bid to see out this tie with pride. And if the Fifa Peace Prize were a legitimate award, the Polish FA and others who have worked to provide a temporary home for Shakhtar and the Ukraine team would be worthy winners.” Well said, sir.
Rogorn Magadorn has run the numbers so you (I) don’t have to …
“In today’s two European semi-finals not involving English teams it could be decided which other nation will get a fifth Champions League team (via league placing). It’s either Spain or Germany, and it all depends not on Bayern or Real Madrid, but on Freiburg (who face Braga in the Europa semis) and Rayo Vallecano.
“If one of the two makes it to their final and the other doesn’t, their country will get that fifth spot. If none make it, Spain get it. If both make it, then it gets more complicated, as it could depend on whether Rayo made it by drawing, losing or winning their game today.”
In the Bundesliga, Leverkusen, Stuttgart and Hoffenheim are currently battling for fourth place, all locked on 58 points. In La Liga, it’s likely that Real Betis would benefit, as they currently sit in fifth place.
In his pre-game presser, Oliver Glasner warned his players to focus on tonight, and not his impending departure. “I made my decision and I have my reasons, but we want to end the season in the best possible way – and now we have the chance to do it.
“Now is not the time to get melancholic. It’s about staying focused. I tell the players very often: don’t do anything for me, do it for yourselves, do it for the club, do it for the fans, because winning the Conference League means European football again next year at Selhurst.”
“The players tasted the honey last year with the FA Cup. This year it’s the Conference League and they want honey again. They won’t be happy with just avocado, so they want it a bit sweeter.” Honey and avocado? Maybe he’s after the Fulham job.
Team news
Crystal Palace (4-3-3): Henderson (c); Richards, Lacroix, Convot; Muñoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell; Sarr, Mateta, Pino.
Subs from: Matthews, Benítez, Lerma, Johnson, Clyne, Hughes, Strand Larsen, Riad, Rodney, Devenny, Cardines.
Shakhtar Donetsk (4-1-4-1): Riznyk; Tobias, Bondar, Matviyenko (c), Pedro Henrique; Ocheretko; Alisson Santana, Pedrinho, Marlon Gomes, Eguinaldo; Kauã Elias.
Subs from: Tvardovskyi, Traoré, Kryskiv, Newertton, Isaque, Azarov, Ghram, Bondarenko, Nazaryna, Lucas Ferreira, Luca Meirelles, Obah.
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Tonight’s other semi-final features Rayo Vallecano and Strasbourg, with the Spanish side taking a slender 1-0 first-leg lead with them to France.
Alemão glanced in the only goal to give Rayo Vallecano a precious 1-0 lead in the Uefa Conference League semi-final first leg against visiting Strasbourg on Thursday.
In a meeting between two teams seeking to reach a first European final, Alemão rose at the near post in the 54th minute to meet a Unai López corner. He missed the ball with his head but it hit his right shoulder and lobbed in to the far corner of the net.
In an energetic but scrappy match in which the hosts collected four yellow cards and the visitors five, the French side started strongly.
Roared on by a raucous crowd at their 15,000-capacity Vallecas Stadium in Madrid, the hosts wrested away control. They managed 24 strikes at goal compared to Strasbourg’s total of five. AFP
Ed was also in Krakow for that first leg, where Palace took a very early lead and largely kept their hosts at bay, winning 3-1. Perhaps that’s where Luis Enrique and PSG got the idea.
Despite arriving here two goals behind after the first leg in Poland, Shakhtar Donetsk cannot be written off. As Ed Aarons writes, the Ukrainian club have overcome much greater struggles in the last 10 years.
Preamble
Back in April 1962, Crystal Palace hosted Real Madrid in a friendly to christen Selhurst Park’s new floodlights. Alfredo Di Stéfano graced the pitch with “effortless ease at walking pace” (according to the Croydon Advertiser) and his team ran out 4-3 winners.
Save for a solitary Intertoto Cup tie and a few Anglo-Italian Cup outings, that was pretty much it for Palace and European football, until this very season. It’s been a steep learning curve – demoted from Europa to Conference League, Palace had to progress via the playoff round while planning for the summer departure of Oliver Glasner.
Having dispatched Zrinjski Mostar, AEK Larnaca and Fiorentina in the knockout rounds, Palace kick off the second leg with a 3-1 advantage over Shakhtar Donetsk and a major European final in touching distance. It’s the biggest European night in SE25 since Alfredo and co strutted their stuff there some 64 years ago. And it’s live!
