Crystal Palace lifted the UEFA Conference League trophy for the first time in club history, after Jean-Philippe Mateta scored the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano, in Wednesday's final in Leipzig.

The triumph also qualified Palace for next season's UEFA Europa League and completed a remarkable spell under manager Oliver Glasner, who confirmed before the match that he would leave the team following the final.

Mateta proved the hero on the biggest night in the south London club's history, completing a remarkable turnaround after nearly leaving Crystal Palace during the January transfer window. The French forward had hoped to join Italian side AC Milan, but a knee issue prevented the move from materializing.

The striker repaid the faith shown in him by Glasner and his teammates by reacting quickest to convert a rebound off Adam Wharton's saved effort in the 51st minute. Mateta then celebrated with his trademark corner-flag kick in front of thousands of jubilant Palace supporters.

"I feel fantastic! We did it! First time in Europe, we did it!" Mateta said after the match. "Now I just want to celebrate, I just want to party."

The final marked the culmination of a historic era for Palace under Glasner. Since taking charge in February 2024, the Austrian guided the Eagles to the FA Cup, Community Shield and now their first European trophy.

Glasner later reiterated that he would not remain in the role despite the success, while repeatedly expressing gratitude toward the players, club and media during his farewell press conference.

Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson described the triumph as a "fairy tale" and said the squad had earned "48 hours of full party mode" after the historic victory.

Rayo Vallecano pushed hard for an equalizer late in the contest, but Palace held firm through five minutes of stoppage time to wrap up the win in front of 39,176 spectators.

The occasion was further elevated by Crystal Palace's traveling supporters, who unveiled a banner reading "this story shall the good man teach his son," referencing Shakespeare's "Henry V," while thousands more fans gathered back home at Selhurst Park to celebrate the club's historic achievement.