The third most important competition in Europe was a huge motivation for both clubs to win an historic trophy, but it was Crystal Palace who lifted it after a 1-0 win over Rayo Vallecano.
In the first half, there was plenty of tension in a very dynamic tempo, with imprecision preventing both teams from creating clear chances. The best opportunity came for Crystal Palace, when Mitchell’s header went narrowly wide.
Early in the second half came the only goal of the night, with a long-range shot from Wharton saved by Batalla, but the rebound fell to Mateta, who only had to tap it in. Even though Rayo Vallecano tried to fight back, they were unable to equalize as Crystal Palace won the trophy.
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Full-time whistle
90+5' The referee blows for full-time as Crystal Palace defeat Rayo Vallecano 1-0 to win the 2025-26 Conference League Final.
Espino booked for Rayo Vallecano
90+2' Espino is shown a yellow card by the referee.
Five minutes added
90' Five minutes of added time are shown in the second half.
Mendy booked for Rayo Vallecano
85' Mendy is shown a yellow card after a foul on Strand Larsen.
Camello fires over for Rayo Vallecano
82' Camello attempts a half-volley inside the box, but his shot goes well over the bar.
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Riad booked for Crystal Palace
81' Riad is shown a yellow card by the referee.
Substitution for Crystal Palace
80' Guessand comes on for Pino for Crystal Palace.
Lejeune tries from long range for Rayo Vallecano
79' Lejeune takes a shot from very long distance, but it goes wide.
Substitution for Rayo Vallecano
78' Akhomach comes on for Isi Palazón for Rayo Vallecano.
Substitution for Crystal Palace
76' Strand Larsen comes on for Mateta for Crystal Palace.
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Isi Palazón free kick over the bar for Rayo Vallecano
75' Isi Palazón sends his free kick over the crossbar.
Pino booked for Crystal Palace
73' Pino is shown a yellow card after a foul on Isi Palazón near the box.
Double substitution for Rayo Vallecano
70' Espino comes on for Rivera, while Camello replaces De Frutos for Rayo Vallecano.
Álvaro García chance goes unfinished for Rayo Vallecano
67' Filtered pass from Isi Palazón finds Álvaro García, but he fails to deliver a good cutback cross, and De Frutos cannot take advantage of the rebound.
Sarr misses at the near post for Crystal Palace
64' Sarr hits a poor shot toward the near post that strikes the outside of the net.
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Double change for Rayo Vallecano
63' Díaz comes on for Unai López, while Mendy replaces Óscar Valentín for Rayo Vallecano.
Álvaro García booked for Rayo Vallecano
62' Álvaro García is shown a yellow card by the referee.
Alemão shot saved by Henderson for Rayo Vallecano
58' Alemão fires a shot straight into the hands of Henderson.
Mateta chance saved for Crystal Palace
57' Great play by Pino down the left side before he squares it to Mateta in the middle of the box, but Batalla makes the save and pushes it out for a corner.
Pino free kick hits both posts for Crystal Palace
55' Pino’s free kick strikes the left post and then the right post. Riad also hits the post on the rebound, but the play is ruled offside.
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MATETA GOAL FOR CRYSTAL PALACE
50' Wharton is left with plenty of space and fires a shot from outside the box. Batalla spills the rebound straight to Mateta, who scores for Crystal Palace.
Unai López booked for Rayo Vallecano
48' Unai López is shown a yellow card by the referee.
Second half underway
The second half is underway.
Half-time level
45+4' The referee blows the whistle to end the first half at 0-0.
Mitchell misses from close range
45+1' Wharton delivers a perfect central cross, but Mitchell heads over from inside the six-yard box.
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Four minutes added
45' Four minutes of added time in the first half.
Wharton booked for foul on Isi Palazón
41' Strong foul by Wharton on Isi Palazón, and the referee shows a yellow card.
Unai López chance for Rayo Vallecano
39' De Frutos holds up play inside the box and lays it off to Unai López, who shoots from the edge of the area. The ball deflects off Wharton, but the referee awards a goal kick.
Match resumes
38' The match restarts after the brief interruption in the stands.
Match briefly interrupted due to incident in the stands
35' The match is temporarily stopped due to an issue involving a spectator in the stands.
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Rayo Vallecano chance from the left
24' Cross from the left finds Alemão inside the box, but he fires a left-footed shot just wide of the left post.
Counterattack stopped and booking
23' Rayo Vallecano take a long corner, but Crystal Palace break forward through Mitchell. Isi brings him down and is booked by the referee.
Rayo Vallecano caught out and booked
19' Dangerous turnover by Rayo Vallecano in the final third leaves them exposed, and Ciss brings down Pino with a foul. The referee shows him a yellow card.
Crystal Palace most headed goals
Crystal Palace are the team with the most headed goals in the Conference League, scoring 5.
Fast start with both teams pushing
9' Early dynamic opening minutes with both sides getting forward but without real danger.
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Kickoff
Italian referee Maurizio Mariani blows the opening whistle.
Confirmed lineup for Rayo Vallecano
A. Batalla, Andrei, Lejeune, Pathé Ciss, Pep Chavarría, Óscar V., Unai López, De Frutos, Isi, Álvaro, Alemão
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