In a straightforward affair under the lights at Arena Lublin, Crystal Palace kicked off their UEFA Europa Conference League campaign with a solid 2-0 win against Dynamo Kyiv. The Eagles, making their first foray into this competition, showed composure and clinical finishing to claim three points on Thursday evening. Daniel Muñoz opened the scoring in the 25th minute with a powerful header from a well-delivered corner, setting the tone early. Eddie Nketiah doubled the lead just after the hour mark, slotting home after a swift counter-attack that exposed Dynamo's defensive lapses.
However, the match wasn't without its drama. Crystal Palace's Borna Sosa received a straight red card in the 78th minute for a reckless challenge, leaving his side to see out the final stages with ten men. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Dean Henderson made a couple of sharp saves to preserve the clean sheet. Dynamo Kyiv, playing their home games in Poland due to ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, struggled to create meaningful chances, managing only three shots on target throughout the 90 minutes.
Indeed, this result extends Palace's unbeaten run to 19 games across all competitions—a club record that underscores Oliver Glasner's steady hand since taking over. Key stats highlight Palace's dominance: 58% possession, 12 shots to Dynamo's 7, and a perfect record in converting their set-piece opportunities. For Dynamo, it's a frustrating start; they've now lost their opening league phase match for the second straight season in this tournament.
Moreover, the win provides a timely boost for Palace amid a packed Premier League schedule, where they've been grinding out results without always dazzling. Glasner rotated wisely, giving minutes to fringe players like Nketiah, who repaid the faith with his goal. Yet, the red card serves as a reminder of the discipline required in European nights.
However, questions linger over Dynamo's attacking potency without their star forward, who's been sidelined by injury. Palace, on the other hand, will relish this momentum heading into tougher fixtures.
As both clubs navigate the twists of the Conference League path, one wonders how far this early confidence can carry them.