In a match that carried the weight of new beginnings, Crystal Palace secured a 2-0 victory over Dynamo Kyiv in their UEFA Europa Conference League opener on Thursday. The game, played at Arena Lublin in Poland due to ongoing geopolitical tensions, saw the Eagles claim their first away win in major European competition. Indeed, this result extended Palace's remarkable unbeaten run to a club-record 19 games, a testament to their growing solidity under Oliver Glasner.
The scoring started early when Daniel Muñoz fired home in the 20th minute, capitalizing on a swift counter that exposed Dynamo's defense. The Colombian full-back's finish was clinical, slicing through the Ukrainian side's backline with precision. Dynamo Kyiv, playing their home games abroad, struggled to find rhythm, their attacks often fizzling out against Palace's organized setup. However, the visitors weren't without their moments of vulnerability; a late red card to Borna Sosa in the 82nd minute for a reckless challenge nearly invited a comeback, but Palace held firm.
Adding to the tally, Eddie Nketiah sealed the points with a composed strike just before halftime, his movement off the ball proving decisive once again. For Nketiah, who joined from Arsenal in the summer, this goal marked another step in his adaptation to Selhurst Park life. Moreover, the win provides a timely boost for Palace, who sit mid-table in the Premier League and now eye progression in this revamped league phase format. Dynamo, meanwhile, absorbed the loss without much protest, their coach Oleksandr Shovkovskyi pointing to fatigue from a demanding domestic schedule.
Yet, the match wasn't without its rough edges—Palace's possession play at times felt labored, and Dynamo's set-pieces carried real threat. Still, the result speaks volumes about Glasner's tactical discipline. As the Conference League campaign unfolds across Europe, this fixture hints at the fine margins that could define the path to the knockouts.