Rayo Vallecano falls with pride in the Conference League final. The team of Iñigo Pérez could not be crowned in Leipzig against Crystal Palace.

What happened in the match?

The match was very even, with no clear dominant team. Crystal Palace sentenced the match in the start of the second half with a goal from Mateta. Rayo Vallecano tried to come back, but the clock was ticking and the nerves were showing.

Why is this defeat important?

The defeat does not tarnish the pride of the team for their historic European campaign. Rayo Vallecano has shown its worth in the competition and has left a good impression.

What comes next?

Rayo Vallecano will have to get up and move on. The next season will be a new challenge for the team. The Conference League trophy eludes LaLiga for the second consecutive year in favor of the Premier League. The economic differences shine more at this level. A European final is a big deal. With everything that it entails. Not every day is a fight for a continental title, even if the maligned Conference League does not have the glamour or aura of its older sisters. The tension, the nerves, the heat of the fans, unforgettable memories that will last forever in the history of Rayo Vallecano despite the defeat. The match fulfilled all the scripts of a final: containment and chances, the minimum. The high pressure exerted by both teams short-circuited the dynamism in the first half, with Glasner and Iñigo Pérez more focused on containing than proposing. The only clear chance for Rayo came in the 25th minute, when Isi fell to the construction to enable Pep Chavarría. The Catalan side put a good cross into the area that Alemão did not take advantage of, forcing a shot with his left foot. The franjirrojos scared Crystal Palace in Leipzig, who could not find the clarity of Wharton, that young midfielder who attracts the attention of half of Europe. Sarr, Yeremy Pino, and Kamada also could not get into the game, neutralized by Lejeune and Ciss, very focused on the axis of the defense. The duel suffered an interruption after half an hour of play. Batalla and Ratiu claimed the attention of the referee Mariani, warning him of a medical incident in the sector of the stands where the Madrid fans were located. After a few moments, the Italian resumed the game. The scare gripped Rayo, who in the added time of the first half conceded an opportunity that could have cost very dearly. Wharton hung the ball in the area and Mitchell appeared to head it when the action required a straight shot.

Rayo, fulminated

Rayo was saved in the last breath, but the blow came in the start of the second half. Augusto Batalla rejected a distant shot from Wharton as poorly as possible. Mateta, who was passing by, recycled the gift for the delight of the fans from the south of London, who turned the Red Bull Arena into a mini Selhurst Park. The tragedy could have been greater for the Spanish representative, the only team that has managed to reach a European final this season. The 'eagles' enjoyed two consecutive approaches that did not end in a 2-0 score by pure miracle. Yeremy Pino executed a free kick in a masterful way: the ball hit both posts walking along the goal line. The subsequent rejection collected by ex-Azulgrana Chadi Riad was annulled for offside. Rayo was on the canvas and Mateta forgave immediately after in a face-to-face shot, well saved this time by Batalla making the saving tackle. Rayo tried by all means, but the clock was ticking and the nerves were showing