Crystal Palace ease past Shakhtar to set up Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano

As the song that has accompanied them on their maiden European adventure promised all along, Crystal Palace are on their way to Leipzig. Sixteen years after rescuing the club he supported as a child from administration, Steve Parish watched on from the stands with pride as Oliver Glasner’s side held off a spirited challenge from Shakhtar Donestsk to book a showdown with Rayo Vallecano in eastern Germany on 27 May.

The Austrian manager may be set to leave Palace after what will be the 60th game of a marathon season but whatever happens after this, he will always have a special place in the club’s history. Reports from Spain in the hours before kick-off suggested that Andoni Iraola – Palace’s preferred candidate to succeed Glasner – could yet be persuaded to take over at Selhurst Park next season despite having plenty of other suitors.

The lure of playing in the Europa League next season – their reward for winning this competition – could certainly help to convince him, as would retaining most of a squad that has proved it is capable of mixing it at this level after being cruelly demoted to the Conference League. A big summer awaits Parish and co. But for now he and Glasner can bask in the prospect of another day out to remember for the club’s supporters.

This stadium celebrated its centenary in 2024 but had never hosted an occasion like this. There was huge anticipation on the streets outside beforehand, with a sea of red-and-blue flags in the Holmesdale End greeting the players when they emerged for kick-off. Shakhtar, whose supporters packed out the away section, warmed up by beating their big domestic rivals Dynamo Kyiv at the weekend to move closer to yet another league title and Glasner had warned that the tie was far from over despite Palace’s impressive win in last week’s first leg.

A lightning start that saw Kauã Elias shoot wide before Eguinaldo warmed Dean Henderson’s gloves in the third minute showed that he hadn’t been joking. But Palace were soon into their stride. Yeremy Pino produced a brilliant finish after racing on to Jean-Philippe Mateta’s header but the Spain forward was ruled marginally offside in the buildup.

Consistent selection has been the key to Palace’s success under Glasner, with nine of those who started here having also started against Manchester City in last year’s historic FA Cup final triumph. Familiarity clearly breeds success and despite once more surrendering the majority of possession, Palace looked comfortable.