Crystal Palace is close to the final, partly thanks to the fastest Conference League goal ever, Emmanuel Emegha loses with Strasbourg | Sport

Crystal Palace has taken a big step towards the final, partly thanks to the fastest goal in the history of the Conference League. Shakhtar Donetsk was defeated 3-1. On the other fields it became clear that there are still plenty of twists and turns possible in next week’s return matches. For example, Nottingham Forest won the English match with Aston Villa with minimal figures (1-0) and Emmanuel Emegha can play next week when Rayo Vallecano visits Strasbourg.

In the Conference League, Crystal Palace took off against AZ executioner Shakhtar Donetsk. Ismaïla Sarr was the end of an excellent attack from the London club after just 21 seconds. Crystal Palace scored the fastest goal in the history of the competition.

That goal was canceled out by Shakhtar just after halftime. The Ukrainian team needed less than two minutes after the break to level the score. The home team, which plays its home games in Krakow, could not enjoy the tie for a long time. Crystal Palace took the lead again in the 58th minute.

The game was ended by former FC Groningen striker Jørgen Strand Larsen. After a razor-sharp counter, the Swede finished coolly and the English club seems to be preparing for its first European final.

It is still unclear who the opponent will be. The match between Rayo Vallecano and Strasbourg did not take long to ignite. Many fouls and irritations in the first half meant that the home team was unable to contain Emegha, who wore the captain’s armband at Strasbourg. When we went to the dressing room, no goals had been scored, but the Dutch striker was sought out by his opponents.

After halftime, Rayo Vallecano took the lead against Strasbourg. Alexandre Alemão’s goal brought some life into the game, especially for the home team. Rayo Vallecano had enough chances to close the match, but Emegha’s Strasbourg is still alive towards the return.

The English match in the Europa League became a heated match. The teams were evenly matched and it was a fascinating joust. Thanks to fantastic goalkeeping work from both goalkeepers, especially Emiliano Martínez, no goals were scored for a long time.

The only goal came after halftime. Lucas Digne was the bitten dog, after he touched the ball with his arms outstretched in his own sixteen-meter area. Chris Wood stood behind the ball and shot the penalty, which was only given on the advice of the VAR, flawlessly against the ropes.

In Portugal, a meeting between Braga and Freiburg was on the program. The home team, which defeated Feyenoord at the start of the Europa League season, quickly took the lead through Demir Tiknaz. The Turkish midfielder was able to get the tip of his shoe against the ball just in time to give his team the lead. Less than ten minutes later, Vincenzo Grifo scored Freiburg level after a razor-sharp counter.

After the break, both teams provided a much less spectacle. There were few chances on both sides, but in the very last minute the home team scored. Mario Dorgeles took advantage of a blundering Freiburg goalkeeper, who had saved a penalty earlier in the match. Braga therefore goes into the return match with a 2-1 lead.