Rayo Vallecano 0, Crystal Palace FC 1

LEIPZIG (Interstat) — Jean-Philippe Mateta scored in the 51st minute, lifting Crystal Palace to a 1-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano in the opening match of the Europa League group stage Wednesday at Red Bull Arena. Mateta’s goal was the only score of the contest. It came with assists credited to nine different players: Pathé Ciss, Chadi Riad, Isi Palazón, Adam Wharton, Álvaro García, Nobel Mendy, Yeremi Pino, Alfonso Espino, and Unai López. The extraordinary number of assists on a single play highlighted a sustained buildup that involved nearly every Crystal Palace outfield player before Mateta’s finish. The match featured nine… Read more...