Jean-Philippe Mateta scored a close-range rebound winner early in the second half as Crystal Palace defeated Rayo Vallecano to claim the UEFA Conference League title in Leipzig, delivering outgoing manager Oliver Glasner his third trophy in two and a half years at Selhurst Park.

Palace dominated the statistical battle, holding a 2.57 to 0.52 advantage in expected goals. Mateta's 16th goal of the season came when Rayo goalkeeper Augusto Batalla could only palm Adam Wharton's strike into the striker's path, who diverted it into the net six minutes into the second half.

Glasner departs having transformed Palace into trophy winners, leading the club to the FA Cup, Community Shield, and now the Conference League. Palace had never won a major trophy before last season's FA Cup victory over Manchester City.

The triumph was especially meaningful given the obstacles Palace faced. They were forced to drop from the Europa League to Europe's third-tier competition due to ownership issues, suffered an FA Cup exit to non-league Macclesfield, and finished 15th in the Premier League. Key players Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi were also sold during the campaign.

Mateta nearly left Palace in January before a knee injury blocked a proposed move to AC Milan. He has scored 46 goals in 110 matches under Glasner after managing just 11 in 80 appearances before the Austrian's arrival in February 2024. The striker has since earned a place in France's World Cup squad.

Wharton was equally impressive throughout, delivering a strong performance just one week after missing out on England's World Cup selection.

Palace become the second English club to win a European trophy this season, joining Europa League champions Aston Villa. Arsenal face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final Saturday with the chance to complete an unprecedented English treble.