Crystal Palace advanced to the UEFA Conference League quarter-finals for the first time, defeating AEK Larnaca 2-1 after extra time in the second leg of their round-of-16 tie in Cyprus (2-1 aggregate after a 0-0 first leg). Ismaila Sarr scored both goals for the visitors as the hosts ended with nine men. Palace will next face Fiorentina.
Having progressed past Zrinjski Mostar in the play-offs, Crystal Palace reached their first European quarter-final by overcoming AEK Larnaca 2-1 after extra time in the UEFA Conference League round of 16. The first leg at Selhurst Park ended 0-0, setting up a tense decider at AEK Arena in Larnaca, Cyprus, on March 19, 2026.
Palace started confidently, with Sarr opening the scoring in the first half via a through ball from Adam Wharton that deflected off an AEK defender; Sarr rounded goalkeeper Zlatan Alomerovic and slotted home from the edge of the area. AEK equalized shortly after the hour when Enric Saborit headed in Marcus Rohden’s corner past Walter Benitez. Saborit, already booked, was sent off 17 minutes from time for a foul on Sarr, reducing AEK to 10 men.
The game went to extra time, where Sarr netted the winner after 99 minutes from Daichi Kamada’s low cross following a short corner by Wharton. AEK received a second red card when Petros Ioannou fouled Jean-Philippe Mateta. Sarr missed further chances, including an open goal and hitting the post late on.
Manager Oliver Glasner called it a “huge achievement” in comments to TNT Sports, noting a break before the first leg against Fiorentina at Selhurst Park amid national team call-ups and a friendly; he expects Eddie Nketiah back soon. Teammate Adam Wharton praised Sarr: “He’s been top... so quick!”
Lineups: Palace - Benitez; Johnson, Richards, Lacroix, Canvot, Mitchell, Wharton, Kamada, Sarr, Guessand, Strand Larsen. AEK - Alomerovic; Ioannou, Godswill, Millicevic, Saborit, Garcia, Rohden, Ledes, Pons, Bajic, Ivanovic. Both teams were missing players due to injuries.
