Crystal Palace, Rayo Vallecano reach Conference League final

KATHMANDU: Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano booked their places in the UEFA Conference League final after securing impressive semifinal victories on Thursday.

Crystal Palace defeated Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 in the second leg to complete a dominant 5-2 aggregate triumph.

Both sides started aggressively, with Crystal Palace surviving an early scare when Jeremy Pino’s 10th-minute strike was ruled out for offside. The Premier League side then took the lead in the 25th minute after Pedro Henrique turned Daniel Munoz’s cross into his own net.

Shakhtar responded strongly as Eguinaldo produced a superb equaliser in the 34th minute, sending the teams into halftime level at 1-1.

Crystal Palace regained control shortly after the restart. Tyrick Mitchell delivered a dangerous cross that was finished clinically by Ismaila Sarr, restoring the hosts’ advantage and sealing a historic victory.

Meanwhile, Rayo Vallecano edged past RC Strasbourg Alsace 1-0 in the second leg to secure a 2-0 aggregate win.

The decisive goal came in the first half when Alemao reacted quickest after goalkeeper Augusto Batalla parried Florian Lejeune’s effort, calmly converting the rebound from close range.

Strasbourg pushed hard for an equaliser and were handed a late lifeline through a penalty, but Batalla brilliantly saved Julio Enciso’s spot-kick to preserve Rayo’s narrow victory.

The Conference League final between Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano will take place on May 27 in Leipzig. It will mark the first-ever European final appearance for both clubs, while Rayo Vallecano also became the 13th Spanish club to reach a major European final.