Crystal Palace are in action against Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk in the Conference League semi-final first leg in what is an obviously ginormous match for the club. But where does it rank as their biggest ever game?
Crystal Palace travel to Krakow for the first leg of their Conference League semi-final in what is obviously an absolutely massive match for the club.
Palace managed to successfully fend of Zrinjski, AEK Larnaca and Fiorentina to reach the final four and now they have another big challenge.
Shakhtar have lost just one game in the Ukrainian Premier League all season and only two in the Conference League, making them clearly challenging opponents for Palace.
But, with the game deciding whether or not Palace reach the Conference League final, where does this rank on the list of their biggest ever matches?
Crystal Palace v Manchester City, FA Cup final 2025
Without a doubt, the biggest game in the club’s history so far in terms of the result and what that has brought to Palace.
The Eagles met a Manchester City side managed by the great Pep Guardiola and yet managed to not only beat them but to beat them in 90 minutes and without conceding a goal.
On what was a gorgeous day at Wembley, Eberechi Eze tucked in Daniel Munoz’s cross to send Palace into raptures.
Dean Henderson then saved a penalty from Omar Marmoush, and that, combined with Eze’s goal, was enough to send Palace to dreamland and take their first-ever trophy.
Crystal Palace v Manchester United, FA Cup final 2016
Nine years before the successful FA Cup final, was the heartbreaking one.
Palace took the lead through Jason Puncheon (cue Alan Pardew’s now infamous wiggle) and it looked like they were going to take down a major scalp and land their first major trophy.
But then just three minutes later and Juan Mata scored for United, before Jesse Lingard’s goal in extra time.
It was a heartbreaking day for Palace, but fortunately they managed to right that wrong against the blue half of Manchester nine years later.
Crystal Palace v Watford, Championship Play-Off final 2013
Arguably, this really was the most important day in the history of the club.
Everything that has happened since came as a result of this day at Wembley in 2013.
After struggling in the Championship for seven seasons, in their eighth season, Palace managed to reach the Championship play-offs and managed to see off their bitter rivals Brighton in the semi-finals.
Then it was on to Watford, who managed to get past Leicester City in arguably the most dramatic moment in the history of football with Troy Deeney’s last kick of the game goal.
It was a hugely tense affair, with neither side able to break each other down but then, a penalty from Kevin Phillips and Palace had the lead.
It proved to be enough to send Palace into the Premier League, where they have been ever since.
Crystal Palace v Shakhtar Donetsk, Conference League semi-final 2026
Where does this game compare to the rest?
Well, there is no trophy directly at the end of if for a start, and there is a chance to right any wrongs next week if it goes badly.
Palace though are in a European semi-final and that in itself sees it rightly on the list alongside these other three matches that will be ingrained in all fan’s memories.
If Palace do negotiate the challenge of their Ukrainian opposition, then the final surely would be Palace’s biggest ever game, but let’s cross that bridge when we come to it.