Crystal Palace secured a historic 5-2 aggregate victory over Shakhtar Donetsk on Thursday, May 7, 2026, to reach their first-ever European final. The Eagles won the second leg 2-1 at Selhurst Park, following a 3-1 first-leg triumph in Hamburg, where Shakhtar are based due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Manager Oliver Glasner, who has been at the club since February 2024, now has the chance to end his tenure with a European trophy. Palace will face either Fiorentina or Real Betis in the UEFA Conference League final, scheduled for May 27, 2026, in Wrocław, Poland.
Key players for Palace included Eberechi Eze, who scored in both legs, and Jean-Philippe Mateta, who netted in the second leg. Shakhtar's goals came from Heorhiy Sudakov and Danylo Sikan, but it was not enough to overcome the deficit.
The achievement marks a significant milestone for the south London club, which has never previously reached a European final in its 120-year history.
