Crystal Palace 2, Shakhtar Donetsk 1 (Agg: 5-2): Eagles Soar to Conference League Final in Stunning European Debut

A year ago, the passionate supporters at Selhurst Park joyfully sang: “Que sera sera, whatever will be will be, we’re heading to Wembley.”

This time, they’ve replaced “Wembley” with “Germany.”

Oliver Glasner is poised to leave after two and a half years as Crystal Palace’s most accomplished manager, with a European final as his final match.

He has the chance to secure a third trophy in just 12 extraordinary months.

They marked their first significant achievement in 120 years with an FA Cup victory, quickly followed by the Community Shield in August.

In a contentious decision influenced by SE25’s main rival and Nottingham Forest’s owner Evangelos Marinakis, UEFA relegated Palace from the Europa League to the Conference League due to ownership regulations.

Once their fate was sealed, Palace removed “Istanbul May 20” from their calendar and set their sights on Leipzig, marking May 27 instead.

All travel plans—flights, trains, and buses—are now sorted.

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Now, the Eagles are just 90 minutes away from another title.

Palace understood that losing by a single goal in the second leg against Shakhtar Donetsk would still propel them to the final after their 3-1 victory in Poland the previous week.

This created a notably uplifting and unexpectedly calm atmosphere at a packed Selhurst Park for a historic European semi-final.

Almost there… but not quite.

Palace found the net just 21 seconds into the first leg, but Kaua Elias should have pressured Dean Henderson almost immediately as Shakhtar demonstrated their intent.

Yet, the roof nearly came off Selhurst when Jean-Philippe Mateta flicked on, and Yeremy Pino burst through to slot in—only for VAR to rule it out for the slightest offside against Pino.

But just 15 minutes later, the scoreboard read 1-0.

Adam Wharton’s magnificent shot was well saved, but Daniel Munoz pursued the loose ball.

From nearly on the byline, his square pass deflected off Pedro Henrique, across the goal, then hit the far post before finding the net.

Lift-off again… and this time no VAR interruptions.

Arda Turan’s Shakhtar needed three goals and found their first at the 34-minute mark when Eguinaldo controlled, spun, and placed a delicate shot into the top corner.

And so we stayed.

Ismaila Sarr attempted a volley right from kick-off, but it veered just wide.

Soon enough, Palace was holding on until halftime, although Mateta nearly regained the lead with an impressive acrobatic kick that struck the post.

Seven minutes into the second half, their journey to Germany was confirmed.

Henderson denied Elias with his foot at one end, then Tyrick Mitchell executed an impressive run upfield.

Daicha Kamada fell, but the ball kindly fell for the wing-back, whose precise low cross found Sarr, who turned it in off the far post.

This marked his ninth goal of the season, leading the scoring charts, and six in his last five, propelling Palace through the knockout rounds.

5-2. The tie was settled. Cue a 40-minute celebration at Selhurst Park.

Nathaniel Clyne’s 250th appearance for Palace added to the joy.

And of course, Forest’s departure from the Europa League at Villa Park wouldn’t have gone unnoticed.

Jorgen Strand Larsen tried to score as he did last week but had a shot saved, just as Shakhtar’s goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk desperately cleared one off the line.

However, it was all irrelevant.

The fourth official indicated just one added minute, sparking jubilation comparable to another goal.

Palace confirmed their place at the Red Bull Arena.

They will meet Rayo Vallecano, who knocked out Gary O’Neil’s Strasbourg.