Nobody Gave Crystal Palace a Shot in Europe. Then Mateta Changed Everything.
You’ve heard the big names in European football. Manchester City. Arsenal. Liverpool. But Crystal Palace in the UEFA Conference League?
That’s not a sentence football fans expected to read in 2025. And yet — here we are.
Crystal Palace made their debut in major European competition at Selhurst Park, beating Norwegian side Fredrikstad 1-0 in the opening leg of their Conference League play-off. It was a moment years in the making — and the way it happened? Nobody could’ve scripted it better.
How Did Crystal Palace Even Get Here?
Here’s the backstory most people don’t know.
Crystal Palace’s European qualification came from winning the 2024/25 FA Cup against Manchester City, which would have originally qualified them for the UEFA Europa League. However, following a CAS appeal for violating multi-club ownership rules, they were sent down to the Conference League instead.
So Palace fans arrived at Selhurst Park already angry — and they made sure UEFA heard about it.
Supporters expressed their displeasure in the form of a “UEFA Mafia” banner and chants directed at the European governing body and Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis.
The anger was real. But so was the football that followed.
The Goal That Started a Historic Night
The first leg was tight, nervy, and not exactly a thriller — until the 54th minute.
Jean-Philippe Mateta headed home from the centre of the box to the high centre of the goal, assisted by Will Hughes, to make it Crystal Palace 1–0 Fredrikstad. Crystal Palace F.C.
It was Palace’s first-ever goal in major European competition. Let that sink in.
Mateta saw the opportunity and guided it into the net — nodding home the Eagles’ first goal of the European campaign. ESPN The Frenchman had been a handful all night, and in the end, his persistence paid off.
The 1-0 scoreline stayed. Job done — just about.
The Second Leg: Ice-Cold Nerves in Norway
A week later, Palace flew to Fredrikstad knowing one thing: don’t lose.
Crystal Palace safely navigated their first major European away tie as a 0-0 draw with Fredrikstad secured an aggregate victory, advancing them in the UEFA Conference League. Crystal Palace F.C.
It wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t supposed to be.
Crystal Palace dominated the match from all angles, maintaining high possession throughout, but were inaccurate in attack — with Eberechi Eze’s departure to Arsenal clearly making an impact on their attacking tools. VAVEL USA
Yes — Palace were missing their star player. Eze had left for Arsenal right as Europe was calling.
Palace boss Oliver Glasner had initially insisted Eze would start, but told Channel 5 before the contest that the 27-year-old had phoned him on Thursday morning to say he did not feel well. ESPN By the time the second leg came around, the deal was done.
Still, Palace held firm.
A Club Record. A European Future. A Moment to Remember.
The goalless draw in Norway made it 13 matches unbeaten in all competitions for Oliver Glasner’s side — equalling a club record. Crystal Palace F.C.
Think about what that means. A team that was playing Premier League mid-table football not too long ago is now:
- Unbeaten in 13 straight matches
- Qualified for the UEFA Conference League group phase
- Making history with every game they play
Palace will now take their place in the league phase draw, where they will learn of their six opponents to face between October and December. Crystal Palace F.C.
The Eagles are flying — and European football just got a lot more interesting.
What’s Next for Crystal Palace?
The Conference League group phase means Palace will face six different European clubs across October, November, and December. For a fanbase that spent decades watching their team fight relegation battles, this is uncharted, electric territory.
And if Mateta keeps heading in historic goals? Don’t be surprised if Crystal Palace go deep into this tournament.
Nobody expected them here. That’s exactly what makes it so brilliant.
Follow for more Crystal Palace European updates as the Conference League group phase gets underway.
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