After resting key personnel in their 3-0 loss to Bournemouth on the weekend, Oliver Glasner’s Palace side were back to full strength ahead of an historic evening.
It was Shakhtar who began on the front foot, though, with Kaua Elias having a couple of early opportunities, with his first effort drifting narrowly wide before the Brazilian was denied by Dean Henderson and an eventual offside flag.
The Eagles then thought they had all but confirmed their passage into the final in the 10th minute when Chris Richards’ long ball was flicked on by Jean-Philippe Mateta for Yéremy Pino to run through on goal and slide into the far corner, but the joy was short-lived as the Spaniard was found to be narrowly offside.
The home crowd didn’t have to wait long to be celebrating again, however, as Palace netted just beyond the midway point of the half.
Adam Wharton saw a powerful effort from 25 yards saved, but Daniel Munoz tried to turn in the rebound from a tight angle and the ball was deflected in via Pedro Henrique for an OG.
Shakhtar, who had seven Brazilians in their starting 11, were back on level terms on the night nine minutes later when Eguinaldo received the ball just inside the Palace box with his back to goal, took a touch, turned and brilliantly finished into the top left corner.
Palace were back in front just seven minutes into the second half through Ismaila Sarr, who poked home from close range after being picked out by Tyrick Mitchell for his sixth goal in his last five Conference League games, and ninth overall in the competition to become the outright top scorer.
Arda Turan made a double change in an attempt to salvage some pride for his side, but the Eagles continued to pose a threat going forward as Mitchell saw a shot blocked after being played through on goal.
In the end, it was a momentous night for Palace, qualifying for the final where they will meet Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig as they aim to lift just a second-ever major trophy in their 120-year professional history.
Though disappointed, Shakhtar are on course to return to European football next season as the 2009 UEFA Cup winners currently lead the Ukrainian domestic league.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Tyrick Mitchell (Crystal Palace)
