Jean-Philippe Mateta’s 51st minute strike ensured the Eagles ended their 2025/26 season with a trophy – just as they had started it, after winning the FA Community Shield in August.
Andrew McSteen provides his player ratings from the Leipzig Stadium.
Dean Henderson: European champion
The World Cup-bound Crystal Palace captain Dean Henderson had very little to do with Vallecano restricted to pot-shots from distance. The England shot-stopper was not tested and spent longer lifting the trophy then touching the ball.
Chadi Riad: European champion
Filling in for the injured Chris Richards, Riad was up against the challenge of Alemão who caused issues along the back three, but the Moroccan international was up to the test. His block of the player in the 79th minute on the penalty spot helped calm any nerves Palace had late on as Rayo became more desperate.
Jaydee Canvot: European champion
Playing out of position on the right side of the back three, the young French defender lost the ball early on, but in a sign of his progression this season, was relaxed when Isi Palazón tried to get under his skin. His ‘boom’ kick in unison with Mateta after the goal will be watched for years to come
Maxence Lacroix: European champion
Also dealt with the marauding Alemão and helped marshal Canvot in his unfamiliar position. The France World Cup squad member helped raise the spirit of his side and supporters throughout.
Daniel Munoz: European champion
Reliable as ever in his defensive role, Munoz had the extra task of taking on long throws due to Chris Richards’ absence. The Colombian regularly switched sides for the set pieces but kept motoring throughout the 90, impressing with a clever flick to Sarr in the box and a byline cutback to Kamada.
Adam Wharton: European champion
The official player of the match put his disappointment of not making Thomas Tuchel’s England World Cup squad last week behind him to run the show in the space a lot of which was created by teammate Daichi Kamada. His late first half yellow card would have been a worry earlier on in the competition but the midfielder has evolved in Europe and he adjusted accordingly. It was his strike – in some discomfort due to an ankle injury – that saw Vallecano goalkeeper Augusto Batalla spill the ball out to Mateta who sunk home from close range for the winner.
Daichi Kamada: European champion
As usual, was silently effective in his role as the engine room and pivot of the side. He will be slightly disappointed that his shot in the 43rd minute went over. Palace fans will hope that Leipzig is not the last game for the out-of-contract Japan international who told the News Shopper after the game that nothing has been decided about his future yet.
Tyrick Mitchell: European champion
The defender would have gone in at the break thinking the worse after his headed miss in the first minute of additional first half time, the clearest Palace chance of the game at that point. However, he did not let it affect him. He was not to be beaten in the second half and his full-pitch run and then cross, deflected off for a corner in the early stages of additional time at the end of the game kept the Palace impetus up and helped consign Vallecano to defeat.
Ismaila Sarr: European champion
Ending as the tournament top-scorer with nine goals, Sarr was instrumental as he helped open up attacking space for his team to exploit. Subjected to regular fouls from the opposition, he battled throughout, rolled with the punches and emerged unscathed.
Jean-Philippe Mateta: European champion
Reacting the quickest to Wharton’s shot being pushed out by Batallo, Mateta’s left shin will go down in history as he expertly directed the spilt ball into the net in front of the Palace fans. Just his second goal in 12 UEFA Conference League appearances and first away from SE25 since September, he will not mind as he prepares to go to the World Cup with France. Palace fans will hope a new manager can persuade the big striker to stay in South London and spearhead their UEFA Europa League campaign. Subbed off in the 76th minute for Strand Larsen.
Yéremy Pino: European champion (again)
The last few months have seen Pino step up to the next level both as a player and as a presence to intimidate and put off opposition players. Through on goal in the 20th minute, his chance to score was abruptly halted by Pathé Ciss but he led the surge from Glasner’s side in the early part of the second half. Unlucky not to score from a sublime free-kick in the 56th minute which hit both posts. A yellow late on saw him subbed shortly after to rapturous applause in the 80th minute.
Substitutes
Jorgen Strand Larsen: European champion
Came on in the 76th minute, replacing Mateta. Took some hits from the Rayo Vallecano defence which helped stop any impetus the Spanish team may have had and gave Palace a breather.
Evann Guessand: Double European champion
Replaced Pino in the 80th minute and played his part in breaking up a few moves from the Spanish side, but did not need to affect the game as Vallecano ran out of ideas. Became the first player to claim a winners medal in the Europa League and Conference League in the same season after playing seven times for Europa League winners Aston Villa earlier in the season.
Manager Oliver Glasner: European champion, again
It turns out he is a magician after all.