Jean-Philippe Mateta scored his first goal in over three months as Crystal Palace beat Fiorentina 3-0 in the first leg of their Uefa Conference League quarter-final tie to close in on a first major European semi-final.

Mateta, making his first Palace start since a proposed move to AC Milan collapsed, converted from the penalty spot in the 24th minute after Evann Guessand was fouled by Fiorentina defender Dodo.

The French striker played a part in Palace's second goal seven minutes as Tyrick Mitchell finished off the post after David de Gea had saved Mateta's effort from close range.

Ismaila Sarr surely booked his side's place in the final four in the 90th minute when he headed a Daichi Kamada cross past De Gea.

Mateta came into the side in place of the suspended Jorgen Strand Larsen and looked sharp after scoring a hat-trick in a behind-closed-doors friendly midweek.

"What a night. For a long time I didn't play, I didn't start. I dreamed about scoring that goal for nights. I did and I am so happy," Mateta told TNT Sports after the game.

Mateta completed a lap of honour applauding Selhurst Park after the game. On whether he has a message for Palace fans, he added: "They know me, I keep working hard. They know I am always here to reach victory and today we did it. Hopefully we can finish the job in Italy."

He headed narrowly wide from a Daniel Munoz cross before Ismaila Sarr - Palace's leading scorer in the competition with five goals - went close with a curling long-range effort.

A minute later Guessand ran onto an Ismaila Sarr pass but was cleaned out by Dodo as he sliced his shot wide, leaving the referee with little choice but to award a spot kick.

Mateta sent De Gea the wrong way for his first goal since New Year's Day before karate-kicking the corner flag in exuberant celebration.

Palace did not need a second Fiorentina error to extend their lead. Daichi Kamada found the run of Munoz in behind the visitors' defence with a clipped ball, and after Mateta saw his effort from the Colombian's acrobatic cut-back saved, Mitchell stuck in the rebound.

Fiorentina looked overwhelmed but emerged for the second half with renewed energy and purpose.

Giovanni Fabbian crashed a shot against the crossbar from Dodo's cut-back, before Dean Henderson was required to stop a header from Albert Gudmundsson and a low strike from Roberto Piccoli.

Palace boss Oliver Glasner voiced his displeasure from the sidelines, but his side regained their composure and scored what could be a decisive third when Sarr's late header bounced up into the top corner past a helpless De Gea.

Palace will take a three-goal advantage into the second leg in Florence next week, with a semi-final tie against either Shakhtar Donetsk or AZ Alkmaar of the Netherlands awaiting the victors.

If there were any doubts about Mateta's commitment to the Palace cause after his failed January departure, they can be pushed aside for now.

The Eagles are in uncharted territory in European competition, and the sight of flags, banners and a barrage of white streamers as the players entered the pitch only added to the sense of occasion.

After a campaign that has teetered on the edge of crisis on several occasions, a quarter-final tie against a Fiorentina side who have reached the semi-finals in each of the past three seasons could have been a step too far.

But Mateta's bullish first-half performance summed up a Palace display far removed from the laboured outings typical of their campaign.

Before tonight Palace had missed 36 of their 46 big chances in the competition, more than any other side, and had scored only 16 goals from an xG rating of 23.1, the greatest underperformance of any team.

But on Thursday Glasner's side scored when they needed to – twice when dominant in the first half and then late on to kill off a resurgent fight back.

Glasner has drawn plenty of criticism from Palace fans in recent months, but he should take credit for bringing Daniel Munoz into the XI and introducing Yeremy Pino midway through the second half.

Munoz provided much-needed width and quality from the right flank, while Pino's energy and drive helped Palace reestablish the press that had Fiorentina hanging on before the break.

Palace rode their luck at times, but three more performances of that ilk should see them reach a first European final in club history.

Crystal Palace face a quick turnaround before they host Newcastle United in the Premier League on Sunday, 12 April (14:00 BST).

Fiorentina play Lazio in Serie A on Monday, 13 April (19:45 BST).