Crystal Palace clinched a commanding 3-1 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Europa Conference League, with Daichi Kamada's goal and assist proving decisive in the second half.
Crystal Palace traveled to Poland's Stadion Miejski im. Henryka Reymana on April 30 seeking to make their mark in European competition. Both teams entered the match level on points, with everything to play for in this knockout stage encounter.
The Eagles struck with stunning speed. Ismaïla Sarr fired past Shakhtar's defense in just the first minute, catching the home side completely off guard. Palace's early aggression set the tone for a dominant opening period.
Shakhtar responded with intensity despite the early setback. The hosts controlled possession with 71 percent of the ball, testing Palace's defense with 15 total shots. However, Palace's goalkeeper made crucial saves to keep the advantage intact.
Oleg Ocheretko came close for Shakhtar in the 31st minute, earning a yellow card for his aggressive play. The Ukrainian side pressed forward relentlessly but couldn't find the breakthrough they needed.
Palace absorbed the pressure effectively. Midfielder Adam Wharton made three tackles, anchoring the midfield while Palace built dangerous counterattacks. The visitors' disciplined defending frustrated Shakhtar's attacking moves.
The second half began with Palace extending their lead. Ocheretko scored in the 48th minute, pulling Shakhtar level at 1-1 and igniting hope among the home supporters. The momentum shifted dramatically.
Palace quickly restored control. Kamada struck in the 58th minute with a clinical finish, reclaiming the advantage for the visitors. His performance proved outstanding throughout, earning a match-high rating of 8.2.
Substitute Jørgen Strand Larsen sealed the contest in the 84th minute, securing Palace's comprehensive victory. The Norwegian forward made an immediate impact off the bench with his decisive finish.
Palace dominated the statistics that mattered most. The Eagles recorded seven shots on target compared to Shakhtar's single effort, while posting an expected goals figure of 2.11 against 1.01. Palace's clinical finishing proved the difference.
The result sends Palace into the next round with genuine momentum. Shakhtar's possession dominance couldn't overcome Palace's superior finishing and defensive organization on the night.
