Mateta ecstatic after Crystal Palace triumph in UEFA Conference League final | OneFootball

Jean-Philippe Mateta was ecstatic after his goal proved decisive in the UEFA Conference League final, securing the trophy for Crystal Palace.

The Eagles’ first-ever European final turned out to be a cagey affair against Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig. Ultimately, Mateta’s goal shortly after half-time was enough to see Palace win 1-0 and lift the trophy.

“I feel fantastic! I feel fantastic,” Mateta energetically told TNT Sports at the full-time whistle. “We did it. First time in Europe, we did it.

“Now I just want to celebrate, I just want to party.”

Just over two months ago, the 28-year-old was booed by Palace supporters on his return, following the collapse of a January move away from Selhurst Park. Asked about being the man to score the winner, the French striker exclaimed: “Oh my days, crazy. Crazy moment.

“It’s incredible. We did everything.”

It was Oliver Glasner’s final game in charge of the club and a fitting end to his reign. Palace had never won any major trophies when the Austrian coach arrived, now they have won the FA Cup, Community Shield and UEFA Conference League in the space of little more than 12 months.

Mateta continued: “I told you about the intensity that they put, I’m tired right now. I gave everything, the whole team gave everything and that’s why we won today.

“Like I said, I’m always with them [the fans]. They support me as a player a lot and as a team, they are always behind us. And we did it for them too.”