Crystal Palace have one foot in the Conference League final after Ismaïla Sarr scored the quickest goal in the competition's history to open their 3-1 semifinal first-leg victory over Shakhtar Donetsk.

The Senegal international scored 21 seconds into the contest at the Henryk Reyman Municipal Stadium in Krakow, where the hosts have played their home European games due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Oleh Ocheretko drew the sides level two minutes into the second half before Japanese midfielder Daichi Kamada became the Eagles' unlikely hero, firing them back in front two minutes before the hour.

He then turned provider for second-half substitute Jørgen Strand Larsen, who added a late cushion and fired Palace even further down the road to Leipzig with six minutes remaining.

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"Overall we are very pleased with the performance but it's just the first step," Palace boss Oliver Glasner told TNT. "We will analyse this game, because I believe we have to perform even better at home to get to the final in Leipzig."

Asked about his side's response to the equaliser, Glasner said: "This is just an amazing group of people, of men, of characters, and it is with such a big, great spirit."

The winner of this tie will face either Rayo Vallecano or Strasbourg in the final in Leipzig on May 27.

Palace hosted a viewing party at Selhurst Park, where they made about 1000 seats in the Holmesdale Road Stand available for those who did not make the trip to Poland.

Next Thursday, the same nearly 102-year-old south London ground will be packed with supporters, all eagerly anticipating the now tantalisingly possible prospect of watching their club advance to a maiden European final in their first bona-fide continental campaign.

"It's a nice half-time lead but not more," added Glasner. "Not less, but not more."

PA contributed to this report.