Shakhtar Donetsk 1-3 Crystal Palace result: Ismaila Sarr, Daichi Kamada and Jorgen Strand Larsen put Eagles in control of Conference League semi-final

UEFA Conference League / Semi-final

Synerise Arena Kraków / 30.04.2026

Shakhtar Donetsk

Finished

Crystal Palace

O. Ocheretko(47')

Live

Live Updates

All
Highlights

GLASNER: WE HAVE AN AMAZING GROUP OF CHARACTERS

Oliver Glasner to TNT Sports: "I'm very happy with the performance. I could see how good Shakhtar are, so many quick players. The plan was to not give them space, because when we get exposed it's so difficult to defend them. Credit to the players, they stick to the plan, we didn't give them a lot. When we were in attack we were very threatening and I was very impressed with the reaction when we conceded the equaliser. We took the lead again and waited for our situations. Overall, we are very pleased with the performance, but it's just the first step. I believe we have to perform even better at home to go to the final.

"It's an amazing group of people, of men, of characters, with such a great spirit, great togetherness, and we always believe in us. There's no button we press and switch it on, it's what we created over months and years. We know we can always come back and we're always able to score a goal.

"Nice half-time lead but not more. We need the same focus because we can see that playing in behind they can dribble, they can pass, very skillful, very quick. This is what we have to control maybe a bit better. All these details will be important to get it over the goal line."

22:28

WATCH MATCH HIGHLIGHTS: SHAKHTAR DONETSK 1-3 CRYSTAL PALACE

Match highlights as Crystal Palace established control of their UEFA Conference League semi-final against Shakhtar Donetsk with a fine 3-1 win during Thursday's first leg in Krakow.

Highlights: Sarr scores fastest Conference League goal as Palace record fine win

Video credit: TNT Sports

SARR MAKES HISTORY AS PALACE TAKE CONTROL OF SEMI-FINAL

Crystal Palace took a huge step towards booking their place in the UEFA Conference League final after second-half goals from Daichi Kamada and Jorgen Strand Larsen secured a 3-1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk.

With the first leg being played in Krakow, Palace made the perfect start with Ismaila Sarr scoring inside 21 seconds - the fastest-ever goal in the competition - after latching onto Jean-Philippe Mateta's knockdown to fire across goal into the net.

Oliver Glasner warned his players to expect a baptism of fire, with 26,000 Ukrainians creating a raucous atmosphere at Henryk Reyman's Municipal Stadium, and the home side levelled when Oleh Ocheretko pounced from close range just two minutes into the second period.

Palace came close to restoring their lead when Sarr and Mateta were both denied in quick succession by Shakhtar goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk - but Kamada coolly slotted home from the edge of the box moments later.

Arda Turan, the former Atletico Madrid and Turkey midfielder, urged his Shakhtar players forward in search of a second equaliser, but Palace dealt them the ultimate sucker-punch on the break to double their advantage.

Kamada was influential in the counter-attack as he drove forward to release Strand Larsen, who steadied himself to loft his finish over Riznyk to the delight of the travelling supporters as Palace placed one foot in the final in Leipzig on 27 May.

The second leg takes place next Thursday at Selhurst Park, live on TNT Sports and HBO Max, with Rayo Vallecano beating Strasbourg 1-0 in the other semi-final first leg in Spain.

Image credit: Getty Images

STRAND LARSEN: I NEEDED THAT GOAL

Crystal Palace striker Jorgen Strand Larsen told TNT Sports: "Obviously I needed that. I was unlucky last game against Liverpool. Felt like the confidence had dropped a little bit but always kept on going, and you know it's tough with two good players fighting for one spot. But to score is a good feeling.

"You can see after we scored the early goal they're a good team. The lads stayed in there. It was important not to lose our heads. We stayed in it and to get the third goal is massive. Important for the team.

"That's who we are, we know the structure of the manager, how we want to play. Sometimes you have to accept that the other team is good, so we sit a bit deep and counter attack. If we were a bit better on the counter-attack, later on we could have scored more but we have to stick with what we've got.

"We knew that it was going to be two tough games, so obviously we're not going to celebrate too much. But we're going to go and smash it on Thursday."

HODDLE: BRILLIANT NIGHT FOR PALACE

These two teams will meet again a week tonight, with Crystal Palace looking to protect a two-goal lead. What night in Poland.

It has turned out to be the perfect away outing. Palace had less than 30 percent possession, but they took their opportunies.

Glenn Hoddle told TNT Sports: "It's a brilliant night for Palace, who showed a great reaction to being pegged back. The reaction was really positive, and it was thoroughly deserved. Tactically, they got it spot on in the second half."

Joleon Lescott told TNT Sports: "Palace are used to having limited possession but making it count when they get forward. At the start of the second half, I didn't see them winning the game, but once they got back in front, they never looked like losing it.

"Shakhtar as they poured forward, they were always susceptible to the counter-attack."

WARD: PALACE TOOK THEIR CHANCES

Lucy Ward told TNT Sports: "Palace have put themselves in an absolutely fabulous position. They managed the game well. They were put under pressure at times, but the three centre-backs and the goalkeeper did well.

"They took their chances, but we've seen enough threat from Shakhtar that they just need to be thorough back at Selhurst Park next week."

'WHAT A DISPLAY FROM EAGLES'

Adam Summerton told TNT Sports: "So much of that display was spot on, tactically. Glasner was much more experienced of the two coaches, with Arda Turan's side beaten on the night. At the halfway-stage in the tie, Palace will take a two-goal cushion back to London with them.

"Kamada was the best player on the pitch, scoring the second, and making the third for Strand Larsen, who came on as a second half substitute. What a display from the Eagles."

Image credit: Getty Images

Full time

FULL TIME

That's it! Palace prevail in Poland! It was a proper away performance from Oliver Glasner's team. They take a huge stride towards booking their place in the final in Leipzig next month.

90'

KAMADA MAKES WAY

It's a well-earned standing ovation for Kamada. A goal and an assist on the night, he is replaced by Lerma for the closing stages. We're into five added minutes.

Substitution in

J. LermaCrystal Palace

Substitution out

D. KamadaCrystal Palace

89'

SHAKHTAR GO CLOSE!

The away fans are jubilant, but Matviyenko very nearly gets a goal back for the home side as he glances a header wide from a set piece. He really ought to have done better. That was a big chance...

WARD: PALACE IN PERFECT POSITION

Lucy Ward told TNT Sports: "He was absolutely calm. Thought he'd taken a touch too many, but he did so well. Shakhtar just keep going to get the equaliser, but Palace always have that threat. Kamada started the move again.

"He's been brilliant all game. It's a great run and great composure by the big man. Nice little touch and dink over the goalkeeper, brilliant.

"Classic Oli Glasner and the way his teams play. Punished by a perfect counter, and Palace are in the perfect position."

84'

GOAL! SHAKHTAR DONETSK 1-3 CRYSTAL PALACE (STRAND LARSEN)

HOW BIG A GOAL COULD THIS PROVE? It's the substitute Strand Larsen who gives Palace a two-goal lead to take back to London!

Kamada wins the ball in the middle of the park, he has Sarr to his right but he opts to go left to the big striker, who steadies himself and applies the finish. The perfect counter!

Goal

J. Strand LarsenCrystal Palace

83'

SHAKHTAR DOUBLE CHANGE

Turan goes for broke as Traore and Nazaryna replace the goalscorer Ocheretko and Elias.

Substitution in

E. NazarynaShakhtar Donetsk

Substitution out

O. OcheretkoShakhtar Donetsk

PALACE IN NEED OF FRESH LEGS

Lucy Ward told TNT Sports: "Pino had run himself into the ground. The last sprint he did, he looked tired."

81'

WATCH: KAMADA MAKES NO MISTAKE FOR PALACE

Kamada hammers Palace back into lead against Shakhtar...

Kamada hammers Palace back into lead against Shakhtar

Video credit: TNT Sports

80'

SARR CHECKED FOR CONCUSSION

A poor corner from Alisson after Sarr is checked for concussion. It does seem pretty dazed after taking a blow to the head from that Isaque shot. Palace are preparing another change.

77'

77'

HENDERSON SAVES

Pressure from Shakhtar, now, as Alisson latches onto Elias' pass to cut inside and test Henderson at his near post. It's actually going wide, but the Palace goalkeeper takes no chances. Sarr is then on hand to get in the way of a shot fired at him from close range by Isaque.

74'

JOHNSON ON FOR PALACE

There's a double change from Arda Turan while for Palace, Pino is replaced by Brennan Johnson. Pedrinho and Eguinaldo are replaced by Newertton and Bondarenko.

Substitution in

B. JohnsonCrystal Palace

Substitution out

Y. PinoCrystal Palace

73'

WHARTON IMPRESSING

Adam Summerton told TNT Sports: "The work rate of Adam Wharton has been incredibly impressive."

Shakhtar have had 11 attempts, but only one has been on target, largely down to the protective screen both Kamada and Wharton have provided Henderson, who has looked very comfortable in claiming the majority of the corners he has faced.

67'

PALACE BACK UNDER PRESSURE

Eguinaldo is off target with his effort. Palace will have to do plenty of defending before they see this out, you would suspect. Canvot blocks Tobias' cross to concede another corner as the pressure cranks up a notch.

1234