Tribal Football

Mateta joins Pogba and Giroud in elite French European final scorers list

Mateta joins Pogba and Giroud in elite French European final scorers list
Mateta joins Pogba and Giroud in elite French European final scorers listREUTERS

Jean-Philippe Mateta has written his name into European football history after becoming only the third French player to score for an English club in a major European final.

The striker scored Crystal Palace’s only goal in their 1-0 defeat of Spanish side Rayo Vallecano in Wednesday’s UEFA Conference League final at the Leipzig Stadium.

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In the process, Mateta joined an exclusive list that includes Paul Pogba, who scored for Manchester United in the 2017 UEFA Europa League final, and Olivier Giroud, who netted for Chelsea in the 2019 UEFA Europa League final.

His goal not only contributed to a memorable night for the London side but also placed him alongside two of France’s most recognisable modern forwards.

Mateta has been named in France’s 26-man team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a topsy-turvy season.

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