Crystal Palace 3-0 Fiorentina: Mateta, Sarr & Mitchell secure victory at home

Jean-Philippe Mateta scored his first goal in over three months as Crystal Palace beat Fiorentina 3-0 in the first leg of their Uefa Conference League quarter-final tie to close in on a first major European semi-final.

Match Report

Mateta, making his first Palace start since a proposed move to AC Milan collapsed, converted from the penalty spot in the 24th minute after Evann Guessand was fouled by Fiorentina defender Dodo.

The French striker played a part in Palace's second goal seven minutes as Tyrick Mitchell finished off the post after David de Gea had saved Mateta's effort from close range.

Palace were dominant in the first half. Fiorentina looked overwhelmed but emerged for the second half with renewed energy and purpose.

Giovanni Fabbian crashed a shot against the crossbar from Dodo's cut-back, before Dean Henderson was required to stop a header from Albert Gudmundsson and a low strike from Roberto Piccoli.

However, Ismaila Sarr surely booked his side's place in the final four in the 90th minute when he headed a Daichi Kamada cross past De Gea.

Palace will travel to Florence for the second leg next week, with a semi-final tie against either Shakhtar Donetsk or AZ Alkmaar of the Netherlands awaiting the victors.

Match Events

0' The match is about to start!

14' Highlight from Crystal Palace vs Fiorentina

18' Highlight from Crystal Palace vs Fiorentina

24' Penalty Goal! Crystal Palace 1-0 Fiorentina (Jean-Philippe Mateta)

31' GOAL! Crystal Palace 2-0 Fiorentina (Tyrick Mitchell)

51' Highlight from Crystal Palace vs Fiorentina

76' Match Event for Crystal Palace vs Fiorentina

Line-ups

Crystal Palace XI: Dean Henderson, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Kamada, Sarr, Daniel Muñoz, Maxence Lacroix, Chris Richards, Evann Guessand, Tyrick Mitchell, Adam Wharton, Jaydee Canvot

Subs: Clyne, Walter Benítez, Hughes, Lerma, Borna Sosa, Remi Matthews, Yeremy, Brennan Johnson, Chadi Riad, Justin Devenny, Rio Cardines

Fiorentina XI: De Gea, Albert Gudmundsson, Gosens, Marin Pongracic, Dodô, Jack Harrison, L. Ranieri, Fagioli, Piccoli, Giovanni Fabbian, Cher Ndour

Subs: Mandragora, Oliver Christensen, Jacopo Fazzini, Pietro Comuzzo, Pietro Leonardelli, Lapo Deli, Giorgio Puzzoli, Eddy Kouadio, Luis Balbo, Eman Košpo, Riccardo Braschi