In a solid start to their UEFA Europa Conference League campaign, Crystal Palace claimed a 2-0 victory against Dynamo Kyiv on Thursday evening. The match, held at the Arena Lublin in Poland due to ongoing geopolitical issues in Ukraine, saw the Eagles dominate proceedings from the outset. Daniel Muñoz opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a powerful header from a corner, setting the tone for Palace's controlled performance.
Indeed, the London side looked comfortable throughout, extending their unbeaten run to a club-record 19 games under manager Oliver Glasner. Eddie Nketiah doubled the lead just before halftime, slotting home after a swift counter-attack that exposed Dynamo's defensive lapses. The Ukrainian outfit, playing their home games abroad, struggled to create meaningful chances, managing only a handful of shots on target despite some early pressure.
However, the game wasn't without drama for Palace. Late in the second half, left-back Borna Sosa received a straight red card for a reckless challenge, leaving his team to see out the final minutes with ten men. Still, Dean Henderson preserved the clean sheet with a couple of routine saves, ensuring the visitors' first away win in major European competition since 1997. Dynamo Kyiv, meanwhile, will rue their inability to capitalize on set pieces, a strength that's often bailed them out in past European ties.
Moreover, this result boosts Palace's confidence as they juggle domestic and continental commitments, though Glasner was quick to temper expectations in his post-match comments, emphasizing the long road ahead in the league phase. For Dynamo, the loss highlights the challenges of their disrupted schedule, with players still adapting to neutral venues. As both teams look to build momentum in this revamped format, the question remains how far Palace can push in a competition often dismissed by bigger clubs.