A Pedro Henrique own goal and Ismaïla Sarr's striking instincts sealed an historic Conference League final appearance for Crystal Palace after overcoming a spirited Shakhtar Donetsk outfit in their semi-final.
2025/2026 UEFA Europa Conference League
2-1
Match Report:
A Pedro Henrique own goal and Ismaïla Sarr's striking instincts sealed an historic Conference League final appearance for Crystal Palace after overcoming a spirited Shakhtar Donetsk outfit in their semi-final.
Ismaïla Sarr netted for the fifth Conference League match running to ensure Crystal Palace clinched a spot in their first European final as the Eagles overcame Shakhtar Donetsk in the second leg of the semi-final.
Shakhtar, needing to overturn the 3-1 first-leg deficit, began brightly but the Eagles showed their ability to attack with pace and purpose when Adam Wharton's ingenuity enabled him to ease away from an opponent before hitting an awkward shot towards Dmytro Riznyk's left-hand post. The visiting keeper did well to push the effort away from danger, but Daniel Muñoz was quickest to the rebound and his cross was deflected past Riznyk by the unfortunate Pedro Henrique.
The Ukrainian Premier League leaders were level on the night soon after that setback, responding with an expert Eguinaldo finish from just inside the box, the Shakhtar No7 controlling a pass with his back to goal on his right foot then effortlessly picking out the top corner with his left on the turn.
Palace almost responded in similar fashion with half-time approach, but Jean-Philippe Mateta's acrobatic scissor-kick volley thumped the upright.
Oliver Glasner's men put the tie out of Shakhtar's reach seven minutes into the second period when Ismaïla Sarr darted between two defenders to reach Tyrick Mitchell's low delivery, guiding the ball into the net with a deft touch via the woodwork.
The Pitmen stuck to their task, crafting a couple of shots to test Dean Henderson, but the Eagles largely kept them at bay for the remainder of the contest to have the Selhurst Park faithful looking forward to the 27 May showpiece.
Match Events
1' Match Event for Crystal Palace vs Shakhtar
10' Match Event for Crystal Palace vs Shakhtar
15' Highlight from Crystal Palace vs Shakhtar
25' OWN GOAL! Crystal Palace 1-0 Shakhtar
34' GOAL! Crystal Palace 1-1 Shakhtar (Eguinaldo)
52' GOAL! Crystal Palace 2-1 Shakhtar (Ismaïla Sarr)
Line-ups
Crystal Palace XI: Dean Henderson, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Kamada, Sarr, Daniel Muñoz, Maxence Lacroix, Chris Richards, Yeremy, Tyrick Mitchell, Adam Wharton, Jaydee Canvot
Subs: Clyne, Walter Benítez, Hughes, Lerma, Remi Matthews, Jørgen Strand Larsen, Brennan Johnson, Chadi Riad, Justin Devenny, Kaden Rodney, Rio Cardines
Shakhtar XI: Mykola Matvienko, Pedrinho, Valeriy Bondar, Dmytro Riznyk, Oleg Ocheretko, Pedro Henrique, Vinícius Tobias, Marlon Gomes, Eguinaldo, Alisson, Kauã Elias
Subs: Yegor Nazaryna, Traore, Artem Bondarenko, Dmytro Kryskiv, Alaa Ghram, Irakli Azarovi, Denys Tvardovskyi, Newerton, Luca Meirelles, Prosper Obah, Lucas Ferreira, Isaque