Crystal Palace Secures Conference League Spot with Aggregate Win over Fredrikstad

Crystal Palace secured their place in the 2025-26 UEFA Conference League group stage with a 1-0 aggregate victory over Fredrikstad, following a goalless draw in the second leg in Norway. Jean-Philippe Mateta's first-leg header proved decisive, while the team maintained solid defensive performances, particularly from captain Marc Guehi, who completed the most passes and was pivotal in defense amid transfer speculation linking him to Liverpool. Despite dominating possession, Palace struggled to create clear chances, with key players like Eberechi Eze lacking their usual spark. The victory marks Palace's first major European competition at Selhurst Park and extends their unbeaten run to 13 games, equalling their club record. Fans and commentators noted the need for squad reinforcements, especially in attack and defense, to compete effectively in the demanding schedule ahead. Overall, the team showed resilience and tactical discipline, though some supporters criticized the flat performance and lack of attacking creativity during the match.