UECL: Crystal Palace Edges Zrinjski, Progresses in Conference League

Crystal Palace secures spot in last 16 with 2-0 victory

Crystal Palace beats Zrinjski Mostar 2-0 (3-1 agg), advancing to Conference League last 16. Palace to face Mainz or AEK Larnaca next.

Sarr's chances didn't materialize - he was foiled by Karacic after a great through ball from Richards...

Crystal Palace secured a 2-0 win over Zrinjski Mostar at Selhurst Park, booking their spot in the Conference League last 16. The Eagles will now face either FSV Mainz 05 or AEK Larnaca in the next round.

Oliver Glasner's men were taken aback by Zrinjski's resistance in the first leg, so they knew they had to step up in the return leg. And they did just enough to progress 3-1 on aggregate.

Crystal Palace's urgency was lacking in the early stages, despite fielding a strong starting lineup. They had chances, though - Evann Guessand's glancing header was deflected off a Zrinjski defender, while Daichi Kamada's effort was also turned behind.

The first period was niggly, with plenty of cheap fouls and four yellow cards shared between the teams. 

However, despite a strong starting XI on the pitch, Palace’s urgency wasn’t there early in this one. Evann Guessand won a glancing header in the box on the quarter-hour mark that was goal-bound but for a deflection off a visiting defender.

Daichi Kamada’s effort was also turned behind via a deflection in a niggly first period that saw plenty of cheap fouls, resulting in four yellow cards split evenly between the teams.

While Igor Stimac’s side were on the back foot throughout this one, Palace knew that a one-goal lead was still precarious and went in search of a second on the night. Ismaila Sarr’s looping header was easily held by Goran Karacic before he was able to watch Chris Richards glance one over the bar. 

With 10 minutes left on the clock, Tyrick Mitchell made a careering run down the left flank before picking out Sarr with a brilliant cross, but the Senegal international could only plant his header wide.

Sarr's chances didn't materialize - he was foiled by Karacic after a great through ball from Richards. The Senegalese star was one-on-one, but the goalkeeper held firm.

Crystal Palace secure the win at Selhurst Park 🦅#UECL pic.twitter.com/cymCbABzeq

— UEFA Conference League (@Conf_League) February 26, 2026

There was a late scare for Palace fans when Hughes and Memija tangled in the box, but the referee awarded a free kick to the hosts. It was a tense finish at Selhurst Park.

Zrinjski pushed hard in stoppage time, but it was Palace who scored the decisive goal. Evann Guessand was played through by Brennan Johnson and finished calmly, securing the win and sending Palace fans wild.