Crystal Palace vs Shakhtar: 2025/26 Conference League Semi-Final Decider
On May 7, 2026, London's Crystal Palace secured their spot in the UEFA Conference League final by defeating Shakhtar Donetsk for the second time in the 2025/26 semi-finals. The match ended 2-1, giving Palace a commanding 5-2 aggregate victory over the two legs. This marks a historic milestone for the English club, as they have never before reached a European final.
The teams entered the match with contrasting momentum. Crystal Palace were looking to bounce back after a heavy 3-0 loss to Bournemouth in their last domestic outing, hoping to find redemption on the European stage. Shakhtar, meanwhile, came in with renewed confidence following a 2-1 win over Dynamo Kyiv. Notably, only goalkeeper Riznyk and defender Matviienko retained their starting spots from that Dynamo match, highlighting significant squad rotation for Shakhtar.
Match Highlights
The game was a tense affair from the start. Crystal Palace thought they had broken the deadlock in the 10th minute, but the goal was ruled out for offside after a VAR review. The breakthrough finally came in the 25th minute when Shakhtar's Pedro Henrique inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, gifting Palace the lead. Shakhtar responded quickly, with Eguinaldo equalizing in the 34th minute after a setup from Pedro Henrique. However, Crystal Palace regained the advantage in the second half when Sarr found the net in the 52nd minute.
Mateta came close to leveling the score for Shakhtar in first-half stoppage time, but his powerful shot struck the post. Despite pushing hard in the second half, Shakhtar could not find another equalizer. With this victory, Crystal Palace advanced to the tournament final with a 5-2 aggregate scoreline.
This triumph is a landmark achievement for Crystal Palace, as the London side reaches a European final for the first time in their history.
For Shakhtar, the result is a bitter disappointment given their high ambitions on the international stage. Both teams displayed tactical approaches shaped by their recent form and readiness for high-stakes matches, but Crystal Palace ultimately proved more decisive in the critical moments of the game.
As Crystal Palace celebrates this historic achievement, it's important to reflect on how they reached this stage. Their journey through the tournament has been marked by intense matches, including a crucial encounter with Shakhtar Donetsk on April 30, which paved the way for their semifinal success. To explore the details of that pivotal clash, click here.