Crystal Palace beat Rayo Vallecano 1-0 in Conference League final to win first European trophy and seal perfect farewell for departing manager Oliver Glasner

Crystal Palace celebrated the greatest night in their 120-year history on Wednesday, beating Spanish side Rayo Vallecano 1-0 in the UEFA Conference League final at Leipzig's Red Bull Arena. The triumph delivers the south London club their first European trophy and completes a scarcely-believable 12-month spell under departing manager Oliver Glasner, who has now won three major honours — the FA Cup, the Community Shield, and the Conference League — since taking charge in February 2024.

The decisive moment

After a tense, goalless first half in which neither side registered a shot on target, Palace broke through six minutes after the restart. Midfielder Adam Wharton, later named man of the match, exploited space and unleashed a 25-yard drive that goalkeeper Augusto Batalla could only parry. Jean-Philippe Mateta reacted quickest, pouncing on the rebound to fire home from close range and spark wild celebrations among the 13,000 travelling fans.

I feel fantastic. We did it. First time in Europe. We did it. Now I just want to celebrate. I just want to party. It's incredible. We did everything.

Rayo Vallecano came agonisingly close to an equaliser when Yeremy Pino's free-kick struck both posts in the 55th minute, but Palace held firm to secure the victory.

Glasner's emotional farewell

Wednesday's final was the 51-year-old Austrian's last game at the helm, having announced his departure in January. After the final whistle, an emotional Glasner performed a full-length slide on the pitch before paying tribute to his players and the supporters.

I took a deep breath with the final whistle. I just supported this group of players — I could be the best magician but without the players it wouldn't work. The players deserve all the credit because they have to trust me and work very hard.

Glasner dismissed any suggestion he might reconsider his decision to leave, describing himself as a "servant for the players, as a servant for the club." His tenure has transformed Palace from a side focused on Premier League survival into serial trophy winners.

Wharton shines after England snub

Adam Wharton's man-of-the-match display reignited debate over Thomas Tuchel's decision to omit the 22-year-old from England's World Cup squad. Wharton admitted he had been a major doubt to start after limping off against Arsenal on Sunday, spending days with his foot in an icebox to reduce swelling.

I love the way he looks forward and passes. He can hit killer balls, balls that take the whole defence out with one pass. I am not sure we have got that many who can do that from a deep-lying position on a consistent level. So definitely my eyebrows went up when I saw he wasn't there.

Former England defender Joleon Lescott added that Wharton "could easily play for England" and praised his mental strength in delivering such a performance despite the setback.

A historic 12 months

Palace's European triumph adds to the FA Cup and Community Shield won last year, a trophy haul spanning just 375 days. The club had been due to play in the more prestigious Europa League this season but dropped to the third-tier Conference League due to multi-club ownership rules. Their victory now secures a coveted Europa League place for next season.

It's something that you dream of but you don't think is reality. I'm just proud of everyone, past and present, that helped us get to this point. It's amazing, it's the same feeling that we had when we won the FA Cup, it's just pure delight, pure emotions.

Rayo's heartbreak

For Rayo Vallecano, the defeat denied the working-class Madrid club a first major trophy in their history. Manager Iñigo Pérez said he would find it difficult to watch the match again, adding: "What breaks you inside is seeing the people cry." The Spanish side had drawn with both Barcelona and Real Madrid during a La Liga campaign that saw them finish eighth.

Palace become the third English side in four years to lift the Conference League trophy, following West Ham United and Chelsea.