Crystal Palace strike the post three times within seconds in crazy sequence in UEFA Conference League final - ‘How on earth?’

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Crystal Palace somehow failed to double their lead in the UEFA Conference League final on Wednesday, despite hitting the post three times in the space of a few seconds.

Palace hit post THREE times from 'almost perfect' Pino free-kick

Video credit: TNT Sports

In the 56th minute, Palace were awarded a free-kick about 30 yards out with a one-goal lead over Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig.

Up stepped Yeremy Pino who unleashed a curling effort which first struck the nearest upright before squirming across the goal to hit the other.

If the moment could not get more dramatic, the ball bounced into the Rayo penalty area, with Palace defender Chadi Riad narrowly unable to get a solid connection on his attempt.

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A combination of Jean-Philippe Mateta, the scorer of Palace's opener, and Rayo captain Oscar Valentin did turn the ball towards goal as it ricocheted around, but remarkably, it could only strike the post again.

The ball was eventually scrambled away to safety by a Vallecano defender, leaving the Palace players and fans in disbelief at how they did not score.

The incredible sequence of events left many amazed at how close Palace came to getting a second, including the TNT Sports commentary team.

BOOM! Mateta nets opener in final as Crystal Palace fans go wild

Video credit: TNT Sports

"How on earth did that not go over the line for Palace?" pundit Lucy Ward said. "Two or three attempts in the end. Great free-kick from Pino, it hits both posts and then Riad had gone too early into an offside position.

"Mateta then can't get on the end of it. It may have been given offside anyway against Riad."

Commentator Adam Summerton said Pino's free-kick was "almost perfection."

"What a let off for Rayo," Summerton added.

Mateta had given Palace the lead six minutes into the second half in Germany, reacting fastest after Adam Wharton's effort was parried into his path by Rayo goalkeeper Augusto Batalla.

"They gave Adam Wharton the time and the space to run with the ball. Mateta doesn't need asking twice," Ward said of the goal.

"It was terrific play from Wharton. No one went to engage with him, so he thought he might as well have the shot. Mateta reacts brilliantly, half way up his calf, but no one cares. It's brilliant for Palace."

Palace's unfortunate stroke of luck by hitting the post three times came just five minutes after their goal, with a second likely to give them a stranglehold on proceedings.

And just a minute after that remarkable moment, Mateta was involved yet again, but this time, Batalla was able to deny the Frenchman with a brilliant sprawling save which sent the ball inches past the post.

"I thought that was just going to bounce into the net. Rayo are wobbling at the back," Ward said. "Can Palace get a second while they're well on top? The goalkeeper does really well."

Mateta was eventually replaced in the 76th minute by Jorgen Strand Larsen, leaving the pitch to a standing ovation from the Palace fans.

The succession of chances for Palace seemed to spur Rayo into life, producing a sustained spell of attacking pressure for the first time in the game.

Ultimately, it did not matter as Palace held on to claim victory and claim their third piece of silverware in 12 months.

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