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Crystal Palace Win 2025–26 Conference League Title With Historic Victory Over Rayo Vallecano

On Wednesday, Crystal Palace defeated Rayo Vallecano to win the 2026 Conference League, with Jean-Philippe Mateta scoring the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory in Leipzig.
Competing in Europe for the first time, Palace navigated an unlikely path after dropping to the third-tier Conference League due to multi-club ownership rules, though they had been due to play in the more prestigious Europa League.
Glasner secured his third trophy in his final match, adding the Conference League to the FA Cup and Community Shield won last year, while goalscorer Mateta said "I feel fantastic" and left-back Tyrick Mitchell, a Palace academy graduate, told broadcaster TNT: "It's something that you dream of but you don't think is reality."
The victory secures Palace a return to the coveted Europa League for next season, with chairman Steve Parish calling it "a dream come true" after a rollercoaster campaign featuring 60 games.
Glasner's 14-month tenure since taking charge in February 2024 has delivered three major trophies, transforming a club where chairman Parish once questioned whether they'd ever play in Europe, let alone win a continental trophy.

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The Smart 7 recap Crystal Palace’s 1–0 Conference League final win over Rayo Vallecano in Oliver Glasner’s farewell

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220 Articles

Taipei Times

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Mateta fires Palace to Conference League glory

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1 day ago·Taipei, Taiwan

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My London

Center

Crystal Palace parade ruled out despite Croydon offer to help

There will be no repeat of last year's trophy parade to Selhurst Park in the coming days but the club are planning to celebrate the Conference League victory

1 day ago·London, United Kingdom

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nd-aktuell.de

Left

Crystal Palace Wins the Suburban Final Against Rayo Vallecano

The neighborhood clubs from London and Madrid are celebrating football romance in the finals of the Conference League in Leipzig.

1 day ago

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Watford Observer

Center

Ex-Watford duo Sarr and Hughes win European silverware with Crystal Palace

Former Watford pair Ismaila Sarr and Will Hughes got their hands on a second trophy in two seasons with Crystal Palace.

1 day ago·Watford, United Kingdom

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Daily Mirror

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Steve Parish fires subtle dig at Nottm Forest after Conference League win

Crystal Palace made history in Leipzig after beating Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League final less than a year after being in a row over which European competition they should be in

2 days ago·London, United Kingdom

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Kyodo News+

Center

Football: Japan's Kamada helps Palace clinch Conference League title

Crystal Palace midfielder Daichi Kamada heads to Japan's World Cup camp on a high after helping his club capture their first European trophy with a 1-0 victory over Spanish side Rayo Vallecano in Wednesday's UEFA Conference League final.

2 days ago·Japan

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