Crystal Palace have secured their place in the UEFA Conference League group stage after a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Fredrikstad in Norway. This result gave them a 1-0 aggregate victory, following Jean-Philippe Mateta's decisive goal in the first leg at Selhurst Park. The Eagles' progression marks their first foray into a European competition, a significant milestone in the club's history.
Oliver Glasner's side demonstrated resilience and defensive solidity throughout the match. Despite not posing a significant attacking threat, Palace maintained control for large portions of the game, with 60% possession, effectively stifling Fredrikstad's attempts to overturn the deficit. Captain Marc Guehi was particularly impressive, expertly dealing with the home side's long throws and corners.
Fredrikstad, despite playing in a hostile environment, struggled to create clear-cut chances, registering only one shot on target against Dean Henderson's goal. Their best opportunity fell to Stiane Molde, who failed to capitalize after Henderson initially fumbled the ball. Crystal Palace, on the other hand, had a few opportunities to extend their lead, with Chris Richards heading wide from an Adam Wharton corner in the first half. In the dying moments of the game, Mateta was thwarted by Fredrikstad's goalkeeper Martin Borsheim.
Speaking after the match, Chris Richards highlighted the team's defensive performance and their ambition to make their mark in Europe. "We have been defending really well so we were hoping we could continue doing that," Richards said. "Every game is not going to be pretty, but as long as you get the result, that's the big thing." He further added, "Everybody is super excited. We are an ambitious club. Now it is time to win some games in Europe. We are ready to make history".
The draw for the league phase of the Conference League is scheduled to take place on August 29 in Monaco. Crystal Palace will be among the 36 teams participating, including 23 other play-off winners and 12 teams eliminated from the Europa League play-off round. The teams will be divided into six pots, and each team will play six fixtures against different opponents determined by the draw.
Palace's qualification for the Conference League marks the continuation of their impressive form, extending their unbeaten run to 13 games, equalling a club record. This achievement is a testament to the team's progress under Oliver Glasner, especially considering they were demoted from the Europa League after a legal challenge. The team has successfully rallied from that disappointment, demonstrating their determination to compete on the European stage. The Conference League final for the 2025/26 season is scheduled to be held on May 27, 2026, in Leipzig, Germany.
