Crystal Palace reach first European final after beating Shakhtar Donetsk 5-2 on ggregate

Crystal Palace reach first European final after beating Shakhtar Donetsk 5-2 on ggregate

Crystal Palace beat Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 in the UEFA Conference League semi-final second leg at Selhurst Park on Thursday evening.

The hosts advanced to the final 5-2 on aggregate and will now face Spanish side Rayo Vallecano in their first ever European final.

The game started at a frenetic pace with chances at both ends. Shakhtar’s Kaua Elias dragged an effort wide inside two minutes, before Yeremi Pino had a goal ruled out for offside.

Palace went ahead in the 25th minute through an own goal from Pedro Henrique, as the ball ricocheted off the Brazilian into the net.

Shakhtar made it 1-1 in the 34th minute, with Eguinaldo receiving a pass at the edge of the box and picking out the top corner, leaving Dean Henderson motionless.

Jean-Philippe Mateta nearly restored the hosts’ lead before half-time with an overhead kick, but it hit the woodwork.

Ismail Sarr sealed the victory in the 52nd minute, guiding Tyrick Mitchell’s cross into the net, scoring his ninth goal in the competition and his second of the tie.

Mateta missed a chance to add to the Eagles’ tally after the hour mark, blasting over from close range. At the other end, Henderson saved ’s strike.