Matt Thacker
Crystal Palace took a crucial advantage in Poland in their UEFA Conference League semi-final against Shakhtar Donetsk.
The South London club, playing in one of the biggest games in their history, lead 3-1 significant step towards a historic European final.
The buildup felt massive. Kraków’s Old Town was taken over by a sea of red and blue. A reported 7,000 Palace fans travelled to Poland, the current home of the Ukrainian side. Despite an allocation of just 2,000, supporters found a way to be there.
Just under a year ago, Palace reached the FA Cup final with a 3-0 semi-final win over Aston Villa. Few would have imagined that, a year on, they’d be in another semi-final – this time on the European stage!
Across Krakow, the mood was electric and full of optimism. Everywhere you turned, you could hear the new Palace chant: “We’re on our way, we’re on our way, to Leipzig, we’re on our way!” Referencing the final’s destination. It rolled on: “How are we going to get there? I don’t know. How are we going to get there? I don’t care. All I know is Palace are on their way!” And it felt true, fans sharing stories of their journeys and the sacrifices made to follow their team. They were not missing this for anything!
Inside the stadium, the atmosphere was fascinating. There was uncertainty around how many Shakhtar fans would be present, but the buzz was undeniable, supporters mingling, singing and in full voice.
When the game kicked off, Palace fans were seen dotted throughout the home end, all respectful, a great sight to see.
The match began at a frantic pace, matching the energy in the stands. Palace were in dreamland after just 21 seconds. Ismaïla Sarr opened the scoring following a fantastic combination play involving Pino and Mateta, finishing superbly to give Palace the perfect start, with Sarr once again the star man.
A fan next to me ran up shouting, “I saw it, I saw it!” thrilled not only to witness the goal but to have made it at all, his flight landing just 30 minutes before kick-off. Straight off the plane and through security for his beloved Palace – one of many incredible stories from fans determined to be there.
Despite leading 0-1, Shakhtar played with freedom and intensity, pinning Palace back for much of the half but unable to find a breakthrough.
They responded early in the second half. From a corner, unmarked Oleh Ocheretko finished to level the score mirroring Palace’s fast start.
The game remained finely balanced until Palace struck again. A Chris Richards throw-in sparked sustained pressure, eventually falling to Daichi Kamada, who fired home on the bounce to restore the lead. Another huge goal from the Japanese star in European competition under the management of Oliver Glasner.
Substitute Jørgen Strand Larsen then extended the advantage late on, cutting inside and finishing confidently in the 84th minute to give Palace breathing space.
At full-time, the noise from the away supporters was electric. The players celebrated with the travelling support, but there was a clear understanding – this tie is only halfway done.
@forfitnesssake LACROIX celebrates Palaces first leg Semi Final win! #cpfc #crystalpalace #krakow #fyp #europeantour ♬ ROCKSTAR – DaBaby, Roddy Ricch
The second leg at Selhurst Park awaits, and from what we saw here, Shakhtar Donetsk will not go quietly. Their attacking, free-flowing sharp football showed this is far from over.
The semi-final second leg takes place on Thursday, 7th May, a game not to be missed. Whether you support either side or are a neutral, this one promises everything.
The winner will face either RC Strasbourg or Rayo Vallecano, with the Spanish side holding a 1-0 first-leg advantage.
An exciting and unpredictable week of European semi-final football awaits.