On Thursday, October 2, Dynamo Kyiv began their group stage campaign in the UEFA Europa Conference League, facing English Premier League side Crystal Palace.
From the opening minutes Dynamo tried to impose a fight but it was the visitors who controlled most of the play. In the 4th minute only quick reactions from Mykhavko denied Mateta from cleverly flicking the ball into the net after a cross from the right. Palace frequently attacked through the flanks, delivering dangerous crosses into Dynamo’s box, while the home side’s only notable attempt was a long-range free kick by Volodymyr Brazhko – his first shot was blocked by Mateta and the second effort went over the bar.
Midway through the first half Dynamo suffered a serious setback. After a cross from the left Mykhavko collided hard with Lacroix and fell badly. Though he tried to continue, dizziness forced him to leave the pitch. While Dynamo were down to ten men as the substitution was being prepared, Crystal Palace struck first: Pino delivered an accurate high ball from the left, finding Munoz at the far post, who outjumped Dubinchak and headed into the top corner past Neshcheret – 0:1.
Chasing the game, Dynamo abandoned their three-centre-back setup. Winger Nazar Voloshyn came on to replace the injured Mykhavko. However, before halftime, Palace remained closer to scoring again. Sosa nearly doubled the lead but fired straight at Neshcheret from close range while Mateta squandered a one-on-one chance (flagged offside anyway). In stoppage time Kamada made a solo run into the box but his shot lacked accuracy.
After the break the pattern of the game remained largely the same: Crystal Palace continued to control possession while Dynamo sat too deep near their own goal. In the 55th minute Nketiah found the net with a precise shot from the edge of the box but the goal was disallowed for offside.
Just three minutes later, however, Palace doubled their lead. On the 58th minute Pino dribbled past Brazhko on the left flank, cut along the byline and delivered a sharp cross into the six-yard box. Nketiah was quicker than Thiare and redirected the ball past Neshcheret – 0:2.
The visitors kept pressing forward and nearly extended their advantage when Nketiah fired from distance but Neshcheret made a fine save at the corner. Palace’s momentum slowed down in the 76th minute when Sosa received his second yellow card and was sent off, leaving the English side with ten men.
Despite the numerical advantage Dynamo failed to create much danger in attack. The only notable chances came from Karavaiev: first his low cross was flicked by Blănuță into the side netting, and later Karavaiev’s header from a corner went straight into the goalkeeper’s hands.
So Dynamo began their Conference League group stage campaign with a defeat. Their next European fixture will be away against Turkish side Samsunspor on October 23.
UEFA Europa Conference League, main stage, Round 1
Dynamo – Crystal Palace – 0:2 (0:1).
02.10.2025. Lublin, Arena Lublin, 6 839 spectators.
Dynamo: 35. Neshcheret – 18. Tymchyk (20. Karavaiev, 81), 40. Bilovar, 66. Thiare, 32. Mykhavko (9. Voloshyn, 33), 44. Dubinchak – 6. Brazhko, 5. Yatsyk (8. Pikhalonok, 67), 10. Shaparenko (77. Blănuță, 81), 7. Yarmolenko (16. Ogundana, 67) – 39. Guerrero.
Crystal Palace: 1. Henderson – 26. Richards, 5. Lacroix, 6. Guehi – 20. Wharton, 19. Hughes (8. Lerma, 52), 2. Muñoz (59. Cardines, 88), 24. Sosa – 18. Kamada (55. Devenny, 69), 14. Mateta (9. Nketiah, 46), 10. Pino (7. Sarr, 69).
Goals: Muñoz (31), Nketiah (58).
Booked: Thiare (33) – Hughes (38), Sosa (74).
Sent off: Sosa (76).
