Ismaila Sarr delivered another decisive performance as Crystal Palace FC booked their place in the UEFA Conference League final with a 2-1 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk on Thursday night.
The Premier League side completed a 5-2 aggregate triumph at Selhurst Park to secure a spot in the European final during their first-ever season competing in continental football.
After carrying a comfortable 3-1 advantage from the first leg in Poland, Palace looked confident from the opening stages and almost took an early lead when Yeremy Pino found the net, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside.
The hosts eventually broke the deadlock in the 25th minute through Daniel Muñoz after goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk parried a strike from Adam Wharton into his path.
Shakhtar responded nine minutes later when Eguinaldo produced a composed finish to level the score on the night and briefly give the visitors hope.
However, Sarr quickly restored Palace’s control shortly after the restart. The Senegal international calmly finished to score his ninth goal of the competition, making him the leading scorer in this season’s Conference League.
The goal effectively ended Shakhtar’s resistance as Palace comfortably managed the remainder of the contest while the home supporters celebrated a historic achievement long before the final whistle.
Under coach Oliver Glasner, Crystal Palace will now face Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League final on May 27 in Leipzig as they chase another major trophy to cap off a memorable campaign.
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