Crystal Palace rescued a 2-2 draw against 10-man KuPS on the final day of the Conference League group stage, securing a playoff spot but missing automatic qualification to the last 16. Christantus Uche gave the hosts an early lead at Selhurst Park, but KuPS fought back after the break before Clinton Antwi's red card allowed Justin Devenny to equalize. Both teams now advance to a two-legged playoff for a round-of-16 place.
The match on December 18, 2025, at Selhurst Park kicked off at 8pm UK time, with Crystal Palace needing a victory to claim a top-eight finish in the league phase and bypass the playoffs. Manager Oliver Glasner made 11 changes to the lineup from the recent Premier League loss to Manchester City, handing senior debuts to centre-back George King, wing-back Dean Benamar, and winger Joel Drakes-Thomas. Jefferson Lerma captained the side for the first time, with Walter Benitez in goal.
Palace struck early when Uche opened the scoring in the fifth minute. After a neat passing move down the right, the Nigerian international cut inside from the edge of the box and curled a sumptuous shot into the far corner with the outside of his right foot. The goal lifted the home crowd, and Palace dominated the first half, creating further chances. Uche nearly added a second on 15 minutes, but his close-range shot was blocked. On 27 minutes, Joel Drakes-Thomas's cross nearly found Romain Esse, and Esse later missed from a tight angle.
Momentum shifted after the restart. KuPS equalized when Piotr Parzyszek swept in their first away goal in the competition following a slick central move. Three minutes later, Samuli Miettinen's scuffed shot from the edge of the area was prodded home by defender Ibrahim Cisse, putting the Finnish champions 2-1 up. KuPS thought they had extended the lead before the hour mark, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
Glasner introduced first-team regulars, including Will Hughes, to regain control. Around the 60th minute, Antwi received a straight red card for a reckless lunge on Hughes. Palace capitalized quickly as Tyrick Mitchell's cross was headed in by Devenny to level the score. The hosts pressed for a winner, with Devenny's volley saved by goalkeeper Johannes Kreidl and Eddie Nketiah's effort also denied, but KuPS held firm for the point.
Both sides progress to the knockout playoffs. Palace's lineup was Benitez, Canvot, Lerma, King, Benamar, Rodney, Devenny, Sosa, Drake-Thomas, Esse, Uche. KuPS started with Kreidl, Hamalainen, Cisse, Miettinen, Antwi, Ruoppi, Arifi, Oksanen, Savolainen, Parzyszek, Pennanen. Injuries kept Daichi Kamada, Daniel Munoz, Cheick Doucoure, Chadi Riad, Rio Cardines, and Caleb Kporha out for Palace.
