Crystal Palace secured a commanding 3-1 lead in the opening leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final against Shakhtar Donetsk, giving them a solid platform to return to south London with a significant advantage. The victory was a key milestone in Oliver Glasner's tenure, as the club chase their second major trophy under his guidance.
The match began explosively for Palace when, just 21 seconds after kickoff, Ismaila Sarr linked up with Jean-Philippe Mateta to finish a swift move into the far corner of the net. The goal not only put Palace ahead but also saw Sarr become the joint top scorer in the competition and claim the record for the fastest goal scored in the tournament's history. Shakhtar responded after the interval, capitalising on a sloppy set‑piece from the visitors.
A corner was poorly defended, allowing Oleh Ocheretko to meet the ball with his first touch and slot it home from close range. The Ukrainian side then grew in confidence, pressing high and dominating possession, which made it appear as though the tie might be swinging in their favour. Despite the pressure, Palace remained disciplined when out of possession, staying compact and threatening on the counter‑attack. They missed several opportunities before finally breaking the deadlock again.
A combination of Sarr and Mateta forced a spectacular double save from Shakhtar keeper Dmytro Riznyk; Mateta’s follow‑up struck the post, and Daichi Kamada seized the rebound to double Palace's lead. The second half unfolded as a tactical masterclass from Glasner.
Palace’s physicality made it difficult for Shakhtar to create clear chances from open play, while the English side’s pace on the break proved decisive. Kamada, after winning the ball deep in his own half, spotted the swift run of substitute Jørgen Strand Larsen.
Larsen controlled a composed dink past Riznyk, extending the lead and cementing Palace's dominance. Glasner’s side displayed a professional, well‑organised performance that should see them enter the second leg as overwhelming favourites to reach the final in Leipzig on 27 May.
Their defensive solidity, efficient use of set‑pieces, and lethal counter‑attacking play were all on full display. In the other semi‑final on Thursday, Rayo Vallecano edged Strasbourg 1-0 at the Campo de Fútbol de Vallecas thanks to a goal from Maciej Zurawski. The final will be contested in Leipzig on 27 May.
Sky Sports analyst Laura Hunter noted that raw statistics can be misleading. While Shakhtar enjoyed higher possession and a greater total shot count, Palace generated more sustained and higher‑quality chances.
The game plan centred on swift counter‑attacks, which played to Palace’s strengths and produced a superior expected‑goals (xG) figure of 2.31 compared with Shakhtar's 1.06, despite Palace holding only 29% of the possession. Palace now sit in pole position to progress, living up to their pre‑tournament status as favourites. The result also adds a poignant narrative for outgoing manager Oliver Glasner. Should Palace lift the trophy in Leipzig, Glasnan's legacy would be defined by a historic double, a scenario that would exceed the wildest hopes of many supporters.
After the match, Glasner told TNT Sports: "I'm very happy and very pleased with the performance. Credit to the players – they stuck to the plan and worked very hard, every single one in defence. We didn't give them a lot.
They were a big threat from set‑plays, which is where we conceded, but we were equally dangerous when we went forward. When we attacked, we were always very threatening. Overall, we are very pleased with the performance, but it's just the first step.
I believe we have to perform even better at home to go to the final." Striker Jørgen Strand Larsen also spoke to TNT Sports, reflecting on his contribution: "I needed that. I was unlucky in the last game against Liverpool, so my confidence dipped a little, but I kept pushing. It’s tough because we have two good players fighting for one spot. To come here and score is an amazing feeling.
After we scored early, we knew they were a good team, so we had to stay focused and not lose our heads. We’re 3-1 up but there’s still a game to play. It’s important for me and the team to get a third goal. We understand the manager’s structure and the team’s approach.
We had to sit a bit deeper today, but we executed the counter‑attack well – and if we had been even sharper we could have scored more." Looking ahead, Palace will travel to Bournemouth for a Premier League clash on Sunday before hosting Shakhtar for the return leg at Selhurst Park next Thursday. The Bournemouth match, broadcast live on Sky Sports with a 2pm kickoff, will provide a final test of form before the decisive European fixture. Fans can also try their luck in the Super 6 competition for a chance to win £250,000, with free entry available through Sky Sports' WhatsApp channel.