Conference League: Jean-Philippe Mateta Stars As Crystal Palace Crush Fiorentina

Jean-Philippe Mateta inspired Crystal Palace to a 3-0 win over Fiorentina in their Conference League quarter-final first leg on Thursday.

Mateta, making his first Palace start since a proposed move to AC Milan collapsed in January, opened the scoring from the penalty spot after 24 minutes, following a foul on Evann Guessand by Fiorentina defender Dodo.

The French striker was also involved in Crystal Palace‘s second goal seven minutes later, as Tyrick Mitchell finished from close range after Mateta’s effort had been blocked by Fiorentina goalkeeper David de Gea.

“I keep working hard, and I’m always here to push for the victory,” Mateta told TNT Sports.

“Today we did it, but it’s not finished. We have one more game in Italy.”

Fiorentina responded after

the break, with Giovanni Fabbian rattling the woodwork after 51 minutes and Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson making two important saves for the hosts just before the hour.

But Ismaila Sarr ensured Palace take a comfortable advantage to Tuscany next week when he headed in on the 90th minute.

Who Can Crystal Palace Face In Next Round?

A semi-final tie against either Shakhtar Donetsk or Dutch side AZ Alkmaar awaits the winners of the Palace-Fiorentina tie.

Ukrainian side Shakhtar beat AZ Alkmaar 3-0, with all the goals coming late. Pedrinho scored the first after 72 minutes, followed by a quickfire brace from Alisson Santana with 10 minutes remaining.

Spanish club Rayo Vallecano are one step away from playing in a European semi-final for the first time in their history after a 3-0 win against AEK Athens.

The winners of that tie will face either Mainz or Strasbourg.

Moroccan winger Ilias Akhomach opened the scoring after two minutes in the suburbs of Madrid, finishing off an Alvaro García cross.

Unai Lopez added a second from a rebound just before the break, with Rayo captain Isi Palazon scoring the third from the penalty spot after 74 minutes.

German club Mainz beat French outfit Strasbourg 2-0 to maintain their unbeaten home record in the competition this season, with six wins out of six.

(With inputs from Agencies)