Crystal Palace secured their spot in the Europa Conference League quarter-finals with a hard-earned 2-1 extra-time victory over AEK Larnaca this evening.
After the first leg ended in a goalless draw in south London, the tie was wide open heading into the match in Cyprus.
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Palace got off to an ideal start, with Ismaila Sarr scoring in the 13th minute. The Senegalese forward took advantage of a defensive mistake and coolly finished after rounding the goalkeeper.
That early goal calmed Oliver Glasner’s team, allowing them to dominate possession for extended periods. However, they were unable to extend their lead and were eventually punished in the second half.
Enric Saborit brought Larnaca level with a powerful header from a corner in the 63rd minute, highlighting Palace’s vulnerability at set-pieces and shifting the momentum towards the home side.
Shortly after, Larnaca’s prospects took a hit when Saborit received a second yellow card, leaving his side with one less player.
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Despite being a man up, Palace couldn’t find a winning goal in regular time. They created several chances toward the end of the game but lacked the composure to finish before extra time.
The breakthrough finally came in the 99th minute, as Sarr scored again from close range, converting a low cross from Daichi Kamada to put Palace back in front.
This goal proved to be crucial as Larnaca’s resistance waned under pressure. The hosts were reduced to nine men late in the match when Petros Ioannou was sent off for a reckless tackle.
The closing moments were intense, with brief crowd disturbances heightening the atmosphere.
Palace nearly extended their lead further, with Sarr and his teammates striking the woodwork.
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Despite being denied a hat-trick, Sarr was the standout performer with two goals, bringing his tally in the competition to five and highlighting his significance to the team.
This victory marks a pivotal moment in Palace’s European journey, advancing them to the quarter-finals where they will face Fiorentina. Glasner’s side exhibited resilience in overcoming a determined Larnaca defense that had impressed throughout the tournament.
Though not always fluid in their play, Palace did enough to secure their progression and keep their European dreams alive.
Additionally, this result offers a sense of revenge following their earlier defeat to Larnaca in the competition.
Palace will now aim to build on this momentum as they strive for silverware in Europe.