Shakhtar 1-3 Crystal Palace: Ismaila Sarr creates Conference League history in semi-final victory

Ismaila Sarr has set a new Conference League scoring record after netting the opening goal in Crystal Palace’s 3-1 semi-final first-leg win over Shakhtar Donetsk on Thursday night.

The Eagles, enjoying their debut season in major European competition, could not have made a better start to the contest held in Krakow, as Sarr opened the scoring inside the first 21 seconds with a composed finish across the face of goal.

Palace’s first attack began with Maxence Lacroix heading the ball upfield, before Palace trio Sarr, Yeremy Pino and Jean-Philippe Mateta all combined on the edge of the penalty area.

A neat interchange resulted in Mateta slipping Sarr through on goal on the right-hand side of the box, before the Senegalese attacker stroked a first-time finish into the bottom corner.

Sarr’s 21-second opener is the fastest goal ever recorded in Conference League history, beating the previous record held by Rapid Vienna’s Ferdy Druijf, who scored after 32 seconds against Vitesse in 2022.

Watch Sarr score fastest ever Conference League goal!

Sensational start from Crystal Palace as they take the lead inside 30 seconds ⚽

? Watch live on TNT Sports and HBO Max pic.twitter.com/r9kLUmjHtW

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 30, 2026

Sarr is enjoying a productive season for Palace and is the club’s top scorer in all competitions with 18 goals, five more than his nearest challenger Mateta (13).

The 28-year-old’s goal against Shakhtar has also moved him level with Samsunspor’s Marius Mouandilmadji and Lech Poznan’s Mikael Ishak at the top of the Conference League scoring charts this term with eight goals.

With the Golden Boot in his sights, Sarr is the highest scoring player left in the Conference League and needs to score just one more goal to move him into sole possession of first place.

Kamada, Strand Larsen also on target as Palace claim semi-final advantage

Jorgen Strand Larsen seals the game for Crystal Palace ⚽

? Watch live on TNT Sports and HBO Max pic.twitter.com/5hVR1eFn0a

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 30, 2026

Oliver Glasner's side entered half time in front, but Shakhtar restored parity just three minutes after the restart courtesy of a close-range finish from Oleh Ocheretko, who took advantage of the Eagles switching off while defending a corner.

Shakhtar goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk was called into action to deny both Sarr and Mateta with two fantastic saves, but he was unable to keep out a sweetly-struck half-volley from Daichi Kamada just before the hour mark.

Palace had just 31% possession in Poland, but they were clinical in front of goal and they wrapped up the victory in style when substitute Jorgen Strand Larsen placed a classy, composed finish into the bottom corner seven minutes from time.

Victory for Palace - the top-scoring club in the Conference League this season with 23 goals - means they will take a two-goal advantage into next week’s second leg at Selhurst Park, and success on aggregate will see Glasner’s side set up a final showdown with either Rayo Vallecano or Strasbourg.

Victory in the final would not only see the Eagles lift their first ever European trophy and become the third English team to win the Conference league after West Ham United (2023) and Chelsea (2025), but they would also qualify for next season’s Europa League.