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71 mins: The game has lost its rhythm, with Palace’s second goal taking the wind from Shakhtar sails. Jorgen Strand Larsen is on for Mateta, Oli Glasner’s first change of the night.
“In response to Mitchell, whilst I understand the sentiment if you removed the ‘big five’ leagues, then would the attendances at the games be enough to finance the competition?” wonders Ian.
I think that’s the difficulty – it’s devalued if it’s not a truly Europe-wide tournament. On the other hand, it’s looking like an England-Spain final again, albeit one with a more romantic vibe than last year.
Aston Villa lead 2-0 on the night, and 2-1 on aggregate. Can Forest fight back? John Brewin is watching.
65 mins: Pedrinho gets his half-volley on target, Henderson grabbing the ball to his left – but the offside flag has gone up.
An alternative argument: “The Conference League is a great competition isn’t it?” writes John Breenan. “A possible final between Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano, what’s not to like about that?”
John also wonders: “After the furore about dropping down to Conference League, has it been better for Palace than being in the Europa League?” Palace fans, get in touch.
61 mins: From the throw-in, the ball bobbles across goal where is met by Mateta’s telescopic leg. Sadly, his effort is overhit and flies off in the direction of the South Norwood Morley’s.
60 mins: Mitchell, who alongside fellow wing-back Munoz has been excellent, takes aim from 25 yards out but sees his shot deflected away for a throw in.
“Unpopular opinion,” warns Mitchell Porter. “I think that we should remove the top five European leagues from the Conference League and keep it for the leagues that don’t have their finances.”
59 mins: The Palace back three stroke the ball around, trying to build those possession stats – it’s currently 68% to 32% in Shakhtar’s favour. Not that it really matters.
56 mins: Changes for Shakhtar, as Lassina Traore replaces the busy but wasteful Elias. Newerton is also on, replacing holding midfielder Oleh Ocheretko.
That was Palace at their devastating best on the break, and Shakhtar now need three goals to force extra time. “Que sera sera, whatever will be will be, we’re going to Germany,” sing the exultant home fans.
GOAL! Crystal Palace 2-1 Shakhtar (5-2 on agg) Sarr 52'
Palace break away in trademark style and after the referee plays at least two advantages, Mitchell crosses and Sarr flicks across goal, and in off the far post!
51 mins: Save! An unfortunate ricochet presents the ball to Elias, who drills it low and hard from a tight angle. Dean Henderson stands up and gets a foot on the ball …
50 mins: Isaque shows a first flash of skill as he tries to thread a pass into Elias’ feet – but it’s just overhit and Henderson snaffles the ball.
48 mins: Wharton links up with Mitchell, whose cross just evades Mateta. Wharton picks it up again and lifts the ball back into the mixer, where Riznyk grabs it under pressure from Mateta and Munoz.
47 mins: Will Palace look to be a touch less reactive in this half? They’ve started with a steady spell of midfield possession …
Second half
Arda Turan makes a second Shakhtar change, with Alisson Santana heading off. He’s replaced by Isaque Silva, a teenage talent from (you guessed it) Brazil.
Rayo Vallecano lead Strasbourg 1-0 (2-0 on agg) at half-time, and are on course for the final in Leipzig. Which begs the question: are Rayo the Spanish Crystal Palace? It feels like a good fit, but thoughts welcome.
Elsewhere at half-time, Villa lead Forest 1-0, making it 1-1 on aggregate. The winner will probably play Freiburg in the Europa League final; they lead 2-0 (3-2 on agg) at home to 10-man Braga.
“In the light of Peter Oh’s email (best of the season, I’d contend), I’ll be really happy with either of these teams going through, and either of Forest or Villa too,” writes Gary Naylor.
“What I’m wondering is whether that makes for a better night than the usual partisan stance of wanting the usual suspects sent packing ASAP? I suspect not – a bit sadly.”
Half time: Crystal Palace 1-1 Shakhtar (4-2 on agg)
Palace emerge from a testing first half with their two-goal cushion intact. Pedro Henrique’s own goal put them in charge, but Eguinaldo’s silky equaliser means Shakhtar aren’t done just yet.
45+2 mins: Shakhtar’s final attacking foray of the half ends with Pedro Henrique fouling Sarr.
45 mins: Three minutes of stoppage time. In the other semi-final, Rayo Vallecano lead Strasbourg 1-0 on the night, and 2-0 on aggregate. Good news for el coeficiente.
Palace hit the post! After soaking up a spell of pressure, Palace push forward and Mateta connects acrobatically with Munoz’s cross. His effort beats Riznyk but clips the outside of the post!
No penalty! The ball hit Mateta on the thigh and bounced on to his arm – and VAR doesn’t seek to intervene after the referee waves play on.
40 mins: Palace are hanging on a bit as half-time approaches, and Shakhtar have a corner, pinged towards the near post by Alisson – and there’s a big shout for handball!
There’s a goal at Villa Park – but which way has it gone, John Brewin?
37 mins: Shakhtar still need two goals to pull level on aggregate, but they look capable. Alisson is involved again here, thudding an effort a few feet over the bar.
35 mins: Woof! Seconds after the restart, Sarr sends a long shot not far wide of goal. The pace is relentless.
GOAL! Crystal Palace 1-1 Shakhtar (4-2 agg) Eguinaldo 33'
Shakhtar keep the ball and Henrique slips it sideways to Eguinaldo, who takes a touch and gently lifts the ball into the top corner! There’s a split-second of confusion before the away fans celebrate.
32 mins: Munoz storms upfield and hits a shot straight at Riznyk, and Shakhtar counter at equivalent speed, with Alisson’s shot well blocked at the far post …
