Crystal Palace are firmly in control of their UEFA Conference League semi-final after a blistering start and a composed second-half display secured a 3-1 first-leg win over Shakhtar Donetsk.
Senegal forward Ismaïla Sarr made history in Krakow when he struck after just 21 seconds, scoring the fastest goal ever recorded in the competition.
The match was played at the Henryk Reyman Municipal Stadium, as Shakhtar continue to host European fixtures away from Ukraine due to the ongoing war.
The hosts responded early in the second half through midfielder Oleh Ocheretko, who restored parity just two minutes after the restart and briefly shifted momentum.
However, Palace quickly reasserted control. Japanese midfielder Daichi Kamada restored their lead before the hour mark with a precise finish, before later turning provider for substitute striker Jørgen Strand Larsen, who added a late third to put the English side in a commanding position.
The victory leaves Palace well placed ahead of next week’s return leg at Selhurst Park in south London, where they will look to complete the job in front of a sold-out crowd.
Manager Oliver Glasner praised his side’s mentality after the match, saying he was satisfied with the performance but insisted there is still work to do.
“Overall we are very pleased, but it is just the first step,” Glasner said. “We will analyse this game because we have to perform even better at home to reach the final.”
He also highlighted his team’s resilience after conceding, adding: “This is an amazing group of people, with a great spirit.”
The winners of the tie will face either Rayo Vallecano or Strasbourg in the final in Leipzig on May 27.
Back in London, Palace supporters gathered at a club viewing event inside Selhurst Park, with around 1,000 seats in the Holmesdale Road Stand opened for fans unable to travel to Poland.
The atmosphere next Thursday is expected to be even more intense, as belief grows that a first-ever European final is now within reach in the club’s maiden major continental campaign.
Glasner, however, remained cautious, “It’s a nice half-time lead, but not more. Not less, but not more.”
