With Shakhtar’s chances drying up and Palace managing the second-half professionally, and Selhurst at its very best, it was Strand Larsen who would go closest in the final chapter of the game.
The Norway forward was always on the move and, with 13 minutes left, latched onto a Muñoz ball on the outside and turned his marker sharply. With not much of the goal to aim for, his low shot was kicked away by Riznyk.
There was one final milestone to cheer in the 89th minute, as Nathaniel Clyne came on off the bench to make his 250th appearance for the club – in stark difference to the Academy graduate’s first back in 2009.
With Oliver Glasner shaking his opposite number Arda Turan’s hand in the final seconds, Palace were there.
A night for the ages.
Palace: Henderson (GK), Richards, Lacroix, Canvot, Muñoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell, Sarr, Pino (Johnson, 78), Mateta (Strand Larsen, 66).
Subs: Benítez (GK), Matthews (GK), Riad, Clyne, Cardines, Rodney, Hughes, Devenny, Lerma.
Shakhtar Donetsk: Riznyk (GK), Bondar, Marlon, Eguinaldo, Pedrinho, Pedro Henrique, Vinicius (Ghram, 27), Kaua Elias (Traore, 56), Matviienko, Ocheretko, Alisson (Isaque, HT).
Subs: Tvardovskyi (GK), Azarov, Kryskiv, Newerton, Bondarenko, Nazaryna, Lucas, Prosper, Meirelles.
As It Happened