Despite widespread reports of a 5-1 preseason friendly in July 2024, Crystal Palace and Fredrikstad FK actually contested a competitive UEFA Conference League qualifying playoff in August 2025. The London club secured their place in the league phase with a hard-fought 1-0 aggregate victory over the Norwegian side.
The two-legged tie marked Crystal Palace’s debut in major European competition following their FA Cup triumph and Community Shield success the previous season. A solitary strike from Jean-Philippe Mateta at Selhurst Park proved decisive, while a resilient defensive performance on an artificial pitch in Norway ensured progression without conceding across either leg.
What was the final score of Crystal Palace vs Fredrikstad?
Aggregate Score: Crystal Palace 1-0 Fredrikstad FK
First Leg: Crystal Palace 1-0 Fredrikstad (August 21, 2025)
Second Leg: Fredrikstad 0-0 Crystal Palace (August 2025)
Competition: UEFA Conference League Qualifying Playoff
- Crystal Palace advanced 1-0 on aggregate following a goalless draw in Norway
- Jean-Philippe Mateta scored the club’s first-ever European goal in the first leg
- The unbeaten run extended to 13 matches across all competitions, equalling a club record
- Fredrikstad failed to register a single shot on target during the second leg
- Palace maintained clean sheets in both home and away fixtures
- The tie spanned six days in late August 2025
| Stat | First Leg | Second Leg | Aggregate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | August 21, 2025 | August 2025 | – |
| Venue | Selhurst Park, London | Fredrikstad Stadium, Norway (Artificial) | – |
| Crystal Palace Goals | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Fredrikstad Goals | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fredrikstad Shots on Target | Not specified | 0 | – |
| Palace Unbeaten Run | Extended to 12 | Extended to 13 | – |
What were the key moments and goal scorers?
Mateta Makes History at Selhurst Park
The decisive moment arrived in the first half at Selhurst Park on August 21, 2025. Jean-Philippe Mateta guided home the rebound after Will Hughes’ initial effort was parried, securing a 1-0 advantage for the London club. The strike represented Crystal Palace’s first-ever goal in European competition, etching the French forward’s name into the club’s history books. Extended highlights show the buildup and finish in detail.
Defensive Resilience on Artificial Turf
The return leg in Norway presented different challenges on an artificial surface that disrupted Palace’s usual rhythm. Despite dominating possession, Oliver Glasner’s side could not extend their lead, though they rarely looked troubled at the back. Dean Henderson produced one crucial intervention from a Daniel Eid long throw, with Marc Guéhi clearing the danger after a rare handling error from the goalkeeper. Match reports confirm Fredrikstad failed to test the goalkeeper with any shots on target throughout the 90 minutes.
Historic Milestone
Mateta’s first-leg goal marked the first time Crystal Palace had ever scored in the European Cup/UEFA Conference League, coming in the club’s inaugural major European campaign following their FA Cup victory the previous season.
What were the lineups for both teams?
Palace Rotate with Sosa Debut
Oliver Glasner made three changes for the second leg, handing a debut to Borna Sosa at left wing-back. Jefferson Lerma and Daichi Kamada also came into the side, while Chris Richards, Maxence Lacroix, and Dean Henderson retained their places. J. Devenny appeared as a substitute in Norway. For the first leg, Sosa also featured alongside Will Hughes and Daniel Muñoz. Live commentary tracked the tactical adjustments throughout both matches.
Fredrikstad Stick with Proven Formula
The Norwegian outfit named an unchanged lineup for the second leg, maintaining their defensive structure. The side featured Daniel Eid at right wing-back, Stian Molde and Øhlenschlæger in midfield, and Emil Holton leading the line on loan. This consistency contrasted sharply with Palace’s rotation across the two legs.
Where and when was the match played?
South London Hosts European Return
The first leg took place at Selhurst Park on August 21, 2025, marking Palace’s return to European competition. The fixture drew significant attention as the club’s first continental home match in the modern era.
Norwegian Artificial Surface
The return fixture was contested on Fredrikstad’s artificial pitch in Norway. The surface proved difficult for Palace to navigate, contributing to the lack of goals despite their dominance. While the exact date of the second leg was not specified in available reports, it took place within days of the first fixture in late August 2025. Official club sources confirmed the challenging conditions affected the rhythm of play.
Pitch Conditions
Mateta downplayed concerns about the artificial turf post-match, stating it was “not an issue for me,” though the surface visibly hindered Palace’s passing rhythm during the goalless second leg in Norway.
How did the match unfold chronologically?
- First Leg, August 21, 2025 (Selhurst Park): Jean-Philippe Mateta scores Palace’s historic first European goal following a parry from the Fredrikstad goalkeeper
- First Leg, Halftime: Crystal Palace take a 1-0 lead into the interval
- First Leg, Full Time: Palace secure 1-0 victory at home
- Second Leg, 9′: Chris Richards heads wide from a Sosa corner in Norway
- Second Leg, 17′: Jefferson Lerma forces a save from the Fredrikstad goalkeeper
- Second Leg, 32′: Mateta header saved by the Norwegian goalkeeper
- Second Leg, Halftime: Score remains 0-0, preserving Palace’s aggregate lead
- Second Leg, ~60′: Maxence Lacroix fires a long-range effort wide of the target
- Second Leg, 70′: Richards heads wide again from a Sosa free-kick
- Second Leg, 90+2′: Substitute J. Devenny fires over the bar as Palace see out the tie
What facts are confirmed versus disputed?
| Established Information | Incorrect or Unclear Reports |
|---|---|
| The tie occurred in August 2025, not July 2024 | No 5-1 preseason friendly took place on July 13, 2024 |
| Crystal Palace won 1-0 on aggregate | Exact date of the second leg not specified in available sources |
| Jean-Philippe Mateta scored the only goal | Specific possession percentages not documented |
| First leg held August 21, 2025 at Selhurst Park | No record of disciplinary cards issued |
| Second leg ended 0-0 on artificial pitch in Norway | Detailed attendance figures unavailable |
What was the significance of this tie?
This two-legged affair represented Crystal Palace’s first venture into major European competition, qualifying through their FA Cup triumph the previous season. The progression maintained manager Oliver Glasner’s impressive unbeaten start, extending the club’s run without defeat to 13 matches across all competitions and equalling a club record.
For Fredrikstad, the matchup provided a stern test against Premier League opposition. However, their failure to register a single shot on target in the return leg highlighted the defensive organization of Glasner’s side and the competitive gap between the divisions. The victory secured Palace’s place in the Conference League league phase, marking a significant milestone in the club’s history.
What did managers and players say?
“Very happy to be the first player for Palace to score in the European Cup. I saw the ball in the box and I had to jump! … They played very defensively… Now we have to go there and win again.”
— Jean-Philippe Mateta, speaking to Sky Sports after the first leg
Manager Oliver Glasner urged his players for a killer goal during the second leg proceedings, expressing relief at the eventual progression on his 51st birthday.
— ESPN Match Report
Summary
Crystal Palace defeated Fredrikstad 1-0 on aggregate to advance to the UEFA Conference League league phase in their inaugural European campaign. A Jean-Philippe Mateta goal secured victory in the first leg at Selhurst Park, while a professional 0-0 draw in Norway completed the job despite challenging artificial surface conditions. For complete match details, see the Fredrikstad vs Crystal Palace match report.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Crystal Palace beat Fredrikstad 5-1 in July 2024?
No. No such match occurred. The teams met in August 2025 for a UEFA Conference League playoff, with Palace winning 1-0 on aggregate. Reports of a 2024 friendly appear to be erroneous.
Who scored for Crystal Palace against Fredrikstad?
Jean-Philippe Mateta scored the only goal of the tie in the first leg at Selhurst Park, marking the club’s first-ever European goal.
What was the aggregate score between Crystal Palace and Fredrikstad?
Crystal Palace won 1-0 on aggregate, securing a 1-0 victory at home followed by a 0-0 draw away in Norway.
Where was the second leg played?
The second leg took place at Fredrikstad Stadium in Norway on an artificial pitch. For live updates from the match, consult dedicated match blogs on Sky Sports.
How many shots on target did Fredrikstad have?
Fredrikstad failed to register a single shot on target during the second leg in Norway, while Palace maintained defensive discipline throughout the tie.
Was this a competitive match or a friendly?
This was a competitive UEFA Conference League qualifying playoff, not a preseason friendly. The winner advanced to the Conference League league phase.
Who managed Crystal Palace during this tie?
Oliver Glasner managed the team during this historic European playoff, celebrating his 51st birthday during the second leg in Norway.