KYIV — It was a night of history and triumph for Crystal Palace, as the London side extended their stunning unbeaten run with a 2-0 victory over Dynamo Kyiv in the UEFA Europa Conference League, setting a new club record for consecutive matches without defeat.
Goals from Daniel Muñoz and Eddie Nketiah sealed a confident and composed performance in the Ukrainian capital, marking Palace’s twelfth game in all competitions without a loss — a feat that has left fans and pundits alike astonished at the team’s evolution under manager Oliver Glasner.
Palace’s transformation from perennial mid-table survivors to disciplined, confident European competitors has been one of the season’s most compelling stories. Against Dynamo Kyiv, they showcased all the qualities that define their new identity: organization, pace, precision, and an unshakable belief in their game plan.
A Historic Night in Kyiv
The NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium was buzzing with anticipation as Dynamo Kyiv hosted their English visitors. Though the Ukrainian giants are no strangers to European competition, it was Crystal Palace who entered the game as the form side — unbeaten in 11 matches across all tournaments before kickoff.
The atmosphere was electric. Kyiv’s supporters, draped in blue and white, created a wall of sound, determined to push their team to a statement victory. But Palace’s traveling fans, some 2,000 strong, made themselves heard too, waving flags and chanting the club’s famous anthem: “Glad All Over.”
Glasner, ever the meticulous tactician, opted for a compact yet flexible 3-4-2-1 formation, sticking with the formula that had earned Palace so much recent success. Sam Johnstone started in goal, protected by a back three of Andersen, Guéhi, and Richards. Out wide, Daniel Muñoz and Tyrick Mitchell provided width, while Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise operated behind the lone striker — Eddie Nketiah, whose loan spell from Arsenal has rejuvenated both his career and Palace’s attack.
Bright Start and Tactical Brilliance
From the outset, Crystal Palace imposed their rhythm on the match. They pressed Dynamo’s back line intelligently, forcing errors while maintaining defensive discipline. Glasner’s tactical blueprint — quick transitions and efficient ball circulation — was executed to near perfection.
Dynamo Kyiv, meanwhile, looked nervous in possession. Their attempts to build from the back were repeatedly disrupted by Palace’s organized pressing, with McArthur and Doucouré snapping into tackles and recovering loose balls.
The first real chance of the game came in the 13th minute when Olise, drifting inside from the right, found Eze on the edge of the box. Eze’s curling effort was tipped over the bar by Dynamo goalkeeper Heorhiy Bushchan, drawing applause even from the home crowd.
Moments later, a slick passing sequence between Mitchell and Eze opened space on the left flank. Mitchell’s low cross found Nketiah at the near post, but his flicked effort glanced just wide.
The warning signs were there for Kyiv, and Palace were growing in confidence.
Muñoz Breaks the Deadlock
The breakthrough came in the 28th minute, and it was a goal that epitomized Palace’s style — precise, patient, and punishing.
Winning possession deep in Dynamo’s half, Doucouré laid the ball off to Olise, who spotted Muñoz making an overlapping run down the right. The Colombian full-back surged forward, exchanged a quick one-two with Nketiah, and fired a low, powerful shot that beat Bushchan at the near post.
1-0 Palace.
Muñoz, who has quietly become one of the Premier League’s most consistent wing-backs, sprinted to the away section and celebrated by pointing to the club badge — a symbol of unity and determination.
“It was a moment of joy,” Muñoz said after the match. “We’ve worked so hard for this run, and every game feels like a new step for this club.”
The goal deflated Dynamo’s early optimism. Their midfield struggled to find space, while Palace’s defense remained impenetrable. Andersen marshaled the backline with authority, constantly communicating and organizing.
Dynamo’s Response and Palace’s Composure
To their credit, Dynamo Kyiv tried to respond. Manager Mircea Lucescu urged his players forward, and the home side began committing more numbers into attack. Viktor Tsygankov was their main outlet, causing occasional problems with his pace and dribbling down the left.
In the 38th minute, Dynamo came close to equalizing when Buyalskyi unleashed a thunderous strike from distance, forcing Johnstone into a diving save. The rebound fell kindly to Supriaha, but his shot was blocked heroically by Marc Guéhi, who threw himself in the way of danger.
Palace remained calm, playing with the maturity of a side far beyond its European experience. They soaked up pressure, broke lines efficiently, and controlled the game’s tempo.
Just before halftime, Palace nearly doubled their lead. Eze’s dazzling footwork left two defenders behind before he slipped a through ball to Nketiah, whose attempt was brilliantly saved by Bushchan’s outstretched leg.
The whistle blew with Palace leading 1-0 — a fair reflection of their dominance.
The Second Half Nketiah Seals the Win
The second half began much like the first — Dynamo Kyiv eager but imprecise, and Palace disciplined and lethal.
Glasner’s halftime talk seemed to center on patience. His players did not rush their buildup; instead, they probed and waited for the perfect moment to strike again.
That moment came in the 61st minute.
Palace won possession through a tackle from McArthur, who immediately released Olise down the right. The winger, full of flair and balance, sprinted past his marker and delivered a pinpoint low cross into the box.
Eddie Nketiah, ever the poacher, ghosted between the center-backs and met the ball first-time, guiding it coolly into the bottom corner.
2-0.
The English striker wheeled away in celebration, sliding on his knees toward the jubilant Palace fans. It was his sixth goal in nine appearances, continuing a purple patch that has made him one of the competition’s standout performers.
“I’m just enjoying my football again,” Nketiah said post-match. “The trust from the manager and the boys means a lot. Every goal I score, I feel it’s for the team.”
Dynamo looked deflated. The home fans, who had sung passionately for the opening hour, fell largely silent. Palace’s traveling supporters, meanwhile, were in full voice — chanting “We’re unbeaten, and we know it!”
Palace’s Defensive Wall
As the match progressed, Palace showcased another dimension of their resurgence — defensive solidity.
Guéhi and Andersen formed an impervious partnership, reading every cross and intercepting every through ball. Richards, often underrated, quietly impressed with his positioning and aerial strength.
When Dynamo attempted to play long balls behind the defense, Johnstone was alert, coming off his line to clear danger. His confidence has grown under Glasner, and his distribution was impeccable throughout the evening.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Palace’s play was their composure under pressure. Whenever Dynamo pressed high, the Londoners calmly played their way out from the back, switching play and maintaining control.
“We’re not just defending — we’re dictating,” Glasner remarked afterward. “That’s the difference between survival football and European football.”
Glasner’s Masterclass The Evolution of Palace
Oliver Glasner’s arrival at Selhurst Park had initially raised eyebrows. Known for his methodical, pressing-oriented style from his successful spell at Eintracht Frankfurt, many wondered how his tactics would translate to the Premier League.
Fast forward several months, and the transformation is undeniable. Palace have evolved from a reactive side into a proactive, tactically fluid team capable of controlling games both domestically and in Europe.
Under Glasner:
- Palace have scored in 15 consecutive matches, their longest streak in nearly three decades.
- They have kept eight clean sheets in that period.
- Their average possession rate has increased from 43% to 57%, reflecting their newfound confidence on the ball.
The victory over Dynamo Kyiv wasn’t just another win — it was the culmination of Glasner’s philosophy clicking in full flow.
“We are building something special,” Glasner said. “This team believes in itself, and belief is the foundation of success.”
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