◤UEFA Conference League◢ Ismaïla Sarr scores as Crystal Palace reach final for the first time with a 5-2 aggregate win over Shakhtar Donetsk..

Crystal Palace defeated Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 (5-2 on aggregate) and reached the final for the first time in the second leg of their 2025/26 UEFA Conference League semi-finals match at Selhurst Park on Thursday.

In the first half, Pino's goal was ruled out, Muñoz's follow-up shot from a difficult angle was inadvertently deflected into his own net by Pedrinho, Eguinaldo scored by chipping over the keeper, and Mateta's bicycle kick hit the post. In the second half, Sarr's close-range shot hit the post and bounced into the net. Ultimately, Crystal Palace won 2-1 (5-2 on aggregate) to advance to the final. The Eagles will face Rayo Vallecano, also making their final final debut.

First Half

In the 2nd minute, Pedrinho passes horizontally from the right wing. Kauã Elias quickly followed up, got the ball and took a few steps before volleying with his left foot the center of the box, but his shot went wide of the right side of the post.

8 minutes later, Chris Richards made a long pass from his own back half. Jean-Philippe Mateta headed the ball ahead. Jeremy Pino quickly followed up, got the ball and dribbled into the right side of the box before volleying the ball into the bottom left corner of the net with a right-footed shot. However, the VAR assistant referee intervened immediately. After reviewing the VAR, it was ruled that Pino had been caught offside, and the goal was ruled out!

In the 25th minute, Adam Wharton took a left-footed long shot from just outside the penalty area. His shot was initially saved and cleared off not far awy Dmytro Riznyk. Daniel Muñoz quickly followed up and upon picking up the loose ball, took a right-footed follow-up shot from a difficult angle at the byline at the right side of the box. His shot was inadvertently deflected into the bottom left corner of his own net by Pedrinho, resulting in an own goal. Crystal Palace broke the deadlock first by taking a 1-0 lead (aggregate: 4-1)!

4 minutes later, Pino made a straight pass from the attacking third. Mateta got the ball and took a few steps before taking a left-footed long shot from outside the penalty area, but his shot was saved by Riznyk.

In the 34th minute, Pedro Henrique made a straight pass from the left wing. After stopping the ball, Eguinaldo chipped the ball into the top left corner of the net from the left side of the box, giving Dean Henderson no chance to react. Shakhtar Donetsk equalized 1-1 against Crystal Palace 1-1 (aggregate: 4-2)!

11 minutes later, Muñoz crossed from the byline at right side of the box. Upon receiving the pass, Jean-Philippe Mateta bicycle kicked the ball from the center of the box, but his shot unfortunately struck the right post and bounced off! Crystal Palace missed a golden opportunity to score again!

At halftime, Crystal Palace and Shakhtar Donetsk were temporarily tied at 1-1 (aggregate: 4-2) going into halftime.

Second Half

Both teams switched sides as the match continued. In the 52nd minute, Shakhtar Donetsk launched a quick counter-attack. Jaydee Canvot made a clearance error in his own back half. Elias quickly followed up and upon picking up the loose ball, took a right-footed shot from the right side of the box, but his shot was saved by Henderson.

Crystal Palace immediately launched a deadly quick counter-attack. Tyrick Mitchell intercepted the ball and crossed into the box from the left wing. Ismaïla Sarr quickly followed up and upon receiving the pass, strucked the ball with his right foot from a very close distance in the box. His shot struck the bottom right post before bouncing into the lower center of the net. Crystal Palace took the lead at 2-1 (aggregate: 5-2)! This was the Senegal international forward's 19th goal in all competitions this season!

In the 61st minute, Sarr passes horizontally from the right wing. Tyrick Mitchell quickly followed up, got the ball and took a few steps before taking a left-footed long shot from outside the penalty area, but his shot was blocked by Pedriho.

One minute later, Mitchell threw in the ball. His pass was initially headed and cleared off not far away by Lassina Traoré. Upon picking up the loose ball, Mateta volleyed with his left foot from the center of the box, but his shot flew high and went out of the pitch.

The match ended with Crystal Palace defeating Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 (aggregate: 5-2).

Image source: Internet / Crystal Palace official website