Crystal Palace got the job done against Shakhtar Donetsk with a brilliant performance at Selhurst Park that saw the Eagles safely through to the Conference League final. They will face La Liga side Rayo Vallecano in the final.
They’ve done it!
Crystal Palace booked their place in the Conference League final with a 2-1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk.
At a bouncing Selhurst Park, the Eagles came in with a two-goal cushion thanks to their 3-1 win in Krakow last Thursday.
The players could have been forgiven for taking it lightly based on the party atmosphere they were greeted with, with fireworks and a carnival atmosphere welcoming the players to the pitch.
But they could hardly have proceeded better, with Yeremy Pino scoring for the Eagles after 12 minutes.
That goal was disallowed but Palace still took the lead, and with it a 4-1 lead on aggregate 13 minutes later through an own goal from Pedro Henrique.
That lead at Selhurst Park was quickly quashed by a Shakhtar equaliser from Eguinaldo nine minutes later, but Palace did not panic.
Going into half-time still two goals to the good, Palace came out firing in the second half but almost let the Ukrainian side back into the game.
Dean Henderson was forced into making an excellent save after a mix-up between Janvee Canvot and Maxence Lacroix.
Lacroix accidentally kicked the ball directly into his French teammate and the rebound fell right into the path of Kaua Elias.
The 20-year-old Brazilian struck it well but Henderson stuck his foot out and prevented Palace from being dragged back into a tight contest.
Just a minute later and Palace managed to get all the way down the other end.
Credit must go to the referee, with Jean-Philippe Mateta and then Tyrick Mitchell fouled, and advantage played.
Mitchell was then able to play in a wonderfully enticing cross and Ismaila Sarr slid in to poke the ball past a helpless Dmytro Riznyk off the post.
It was the Senegalese’s 19th goal of the season and his ninth in the Conference League, making him the outright top goal scorer in the competition.
Palace had further chances, most notably when Mateta’s audacious scissor kick effort collided with the bar.
But ultimately, despite having just 33% possession, Palace had done more than enough to put themselves into the final.
It means that Oliver Glasner gets himself into a second consecutive final with Palace.
Last time out, they were victorious in the FA Cup, beating Manchester City at Wembley.
That has led them to where they are now, where they will take on Spanish side Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League final on May 27.
Palace are on their way to Leipzig.