Eagles Soar to 3-0 Victory Over Fiorentina as Mateta Shines in Conference League Clash
Jean-Philippe Mateta made a triumphant return to the Crystal Palace starting line-up, scoring his first goal since New Year's Day, leading the Eagles to a commanding 3-0 victory over Fiorentina in the first leg of the Conference League quarter-finals. Mateta, who had not started since January 25, opened the scoring from the penalty spot after Dodo fouled Evann Guessand in the area. Shortly after, Tyrick Mitchell capitalized on poor Fiorentina defending to extend the lead, and Ismaila Sarr sealed the win with a third goal late in the match. Palace's performance marked their first three-goal game at Selhurst Park since November, showcasing a renewed energy after a three-week break. They are now on a five-match unbeaten run and have not lost in their last seven Conference League outings. Despite a brief resurgence from Fiorentina in the second half, including a shot that hit the bar, Aaron Henderson remained largely untested. Mateta's efforts were complemented by Daichi Kamada's assist to Daniel Munoz, whose setup led to the second goal. Post-match, Mateta expressed his joy, stating, "What a night. It's been a long time, I didn't play, I didn't start. I'm very happy... I dreamt about [scoring] for nights." With the second leg in Florence looming, Palace aims to secure their spot in the semi-finals, bolstered by this impressive performance.
Source: Sky Sports - 2026-04-09