Crystal Palace on Thursday took a giant step toward the UEFA Conference League final in their first season in Europe with a 3-1 semi-final, first-leg win over Shakhtar Donetsk.
Goals from Ismaila Sarr, Daichi Kamada and Jorgen Strand Larsen in Poland put the Eagles in command of the tie, despite a spirited performance from the Ukrainian league leaders.
Shakhtar have remained remarkably competitive in Europe despite their long exile from Ukraine due to the ongoing conflict with Russia, but the vast difference in resources between the sides showed as Strand Larsencame off the bench to give last season’s FA Cup winners a two-goal cushion late on.
Photo: AFP
“It’s a nice halftime lead, but not more,” Palace head coach Oliver Glasner said. “It was a huge impact from the bench. So overall we’re very pleased with the performance, but it’s just the first step.”
Crystal Palace got off to a dream start as they took the lead after just 21 seconds.
Jean-Philippe Mateta and Yeremy Pino combined neatly before the former played in Sarr to fire home his 18th goal of the season.
Arda Turan’s side penned back their Premier League opponents for the remainder of the first half and got their reward early in the second.
Oleh Ocheretko slotted home the equalizer from close range after Palace failed to clear a corner.
However, the goal sparked Glasner’s men back into life.
From Chris Richards’ long throw into the penalty area, the ball broke kindly for Kamada to drill under Riznyk.
In their quest for an equalizer, Shakhtar were then picked off on the counterattack.
Kamada picked out Strand Larsen, who coolly cut inside and chipped the onrushing Riznyk.
Rayo Vallecano or RC Strasbourg Alsace await the winners in the final in Leipzig on May 27. Rayo edged the first leg of the other semi-final 1-0 in Spain.
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