Jean-Philippe Mateta scores as Crystal Palace win first European trophy

Crystal Palace defeated Rayo Vallecano 1-0 in the UEFA Europa Conference League final on 27 May. The win secured the club's first European trophy. French forward Jean-Philippe Mateta scored the decisive goal. The goal came from an opportunistic finish inside the box. The triumph arrives one year after Palace captured their inaugural major domestic title. Mateta celebrated the achievement alongside teammate Maxence Lacroix. Both Mateta and Lacroix are members of the France national team setup. Mateta is set to join the French squad for the 2026 World Cup. Palace will enter the next season as European champions. The club's victory marks a historic milestone in its short‑term growth.