Crystal Palace 1-0 Rayo Vallecano- Player Ratings, Match Report and UEFA Conference League Final 2026 Highlights

Crystal Palace 1-0 Rayo Vallecano- Player Ratings, Match Report and UEFA Conference League Final 2026 Highlights

Yesterday evening marked the biggest game in both Crystal Palace’s and Rayo Vallecano’s history as they were both competing in a European Final. Rayo Vallecano were looking for their first ever trophy win, whereas Palace were looking to make it a second in quick succession following last year's FA Cup victory.

It was clear that both sides were quite nervous going into the game in Leipzig as the first half saw very few chances for either side, the best coming from Rayo Vallecano as they saw a shot whistle past Dean Henderson’s post.

However, Oliver Glasner’s final team talk to the Eagles certainly paid off as it only took six minutes into the second half for the English side to take the lead. Adam Wharton, who had been largely controlling the game, powered through the middle of the park and saw an opening for a long range effort which was parried by Augusto Batalla into the path of Jean-Phillipe Mateta who was never going to miss.

Mateta finds the net and look what it means to Palace! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/sCQMzmgTcy

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 27, 2026

Palace’s chances didn’t stop there as just minutes after they could have made it two as Yeremy Pino saw a free-kick rebound off of both posts and fail to be put home by an onrushing Chadi Riad. Jean-Phillipe Mateta could have got a brace himself as the Eagles carried on applying the pressure throughout the second half. However, despite not making it two, they still managed to hold on to get their hands on their first ever European trophy.

Crystal Palace have WON the Conference League. pic.twitter.com/YUuUxQor4C

— george (@StokeyyG2) May 27, 2026

Full Time: Crystal Palace 1-0 Rayo Vallecano

Player Ratings

Crystal Palace Player Ratings

Dean Henderson (GK): 7

Jaydee Canvot: 7

Maxence Lacroix: 7

Chadi Riad: 8

Daniel Munoz: 6

Adam Wharton: 8

Daichi Kamada: 7

Tyrick Mitchell: 7

Ismaila Sarr: 6

Yeremi Pino: 7

Jean-Phillipe Mateta: 8

Rayo Vallecano

Augusto Batalla: 6

Andrei Ratiu: 7

Florian Lejune: 7

Pathe Ciss: 6

Pep Chavarria: 6

Oscar Valentin: 6

Unai Lopez: 5

Isi Palazon: 5

Jorge de Frutos: 6

Alvaro Garcia: 6

Alemao: 5

Player Of The Match: Jean-Phillipe Mateta

Talk about someone that has gone from zero to hero! Just four months ago, Jean-Phillipe Mateta was trying to force a move away from Selhurst Park. Last night he wrote his name in Crystal Palace history as he scored the all important goal that got their hands on their first European trophy.

Bad Day At The Office: Augusto Batalla

Despite no Rayo Vallecano player standing out by having a particularly poor game, Augusto Batalla will be kicking himself that he didn’t either hold or parry Adam Wharton’s effort to safety which would have stopped Mateta from being gifted an opportunity from such close range.