UECL: Crystal Palace Edge AEK Larnaca in Thrilling Conference League Encounter

Palace Beat Larnaca in extra time, face Fiorentina in quarters

Crystal Palace beat AEK Larnaca 2-1 in extra time, with Ismaïla Sarr scoring the winner, to reach the UEFA Conference League quarter-finals against Fiorentina.

Sarr had a golden opportunity from a Munoz cutback, but couldn't convert...

Crystal Palace secured a thrilling 2-1 win over AEK Larnaca in extra time, advancing to the UEFA Conference League quarter-finals. This marks a historic milestone for Palace, extending their first-ever run in a major European competition and keeping their hopes of reaching Leipzig alive.

Larnaca's defense had been solid, conceding only once in the competition prior to this match, with Palace struggling to break them down. However, Ismaïla Sarr broke the deadlock in the 13th minute, latching onto a through ball and calmly finishing to give Palace control. 

Larnaca finally conceded in the 14th minute, as Sarr latched onto Adam Wharton's deflected pass, beat Zlatan Alomerovic, and slid the ball into the net.

Palace remained in control, and thought they had a second just eight minutes later, but Sarr was marginally offside before heading home Daichi Kamada's cross. Chris Richards also had a chance, heading wide from a dinked cross.

Palace maintained pressure, nearly doubling their lead eight minutes later, but Sarr was offside on a Kamada cross. Chris Richards also had a chance, heading wide from a clever cross.

Larnaca pushed back, with Riad Bajic heading straight at Benitez from a cross, and Dorde Ivanovic's effort sailing off target after a nice move inside. 

However, Maxence Lacroix still forced a double save from Alomerovic as the break approached, and Palace continued carrying a threat after it.

Sarr smashed a shot against Evann Guessand and Kamada struck wide, while Jorgen Strand Larsen was let down by a poor touch having got himself into a promising position.

Palace's lack of finish came back to haunt them. Larnaca's Enric Saborit headed home a corner from Marcus Rohden just after the hour mark, putting them level.

Alomerovic made crucial saves to deny Wharton and Daniel Munoz as Palace pushed for a response. But disaster struck for Larnaca when Saborit got a second yellow card (both for pulling Sarr) and was sent off. 

Sarr had a golden opportunity from a Munoz cutback, but couldn't convert, and Palace had to push into extra time. Sarr was frustrated again in ET, mishitting a header despite a good Pino pass.

But Sarr's frustrations were lifted in the 99th minute – he guided Kamada's cutback past Alomerovic with a clinical finish.

A Sarr brace does the business for @CPFC ✌️#UECL pic.twitter.com/Ds1zJbK6Jr

— UEFA Conference League (@Conf_League) March 19, 2026

Sarr and Strand Larsen both hit the woodwork as Palace pushed for a third, but Larnaca couldn't threaten Benitez. Palace secured a 2-1 win (after extra time) to set up a UECL quarter-final against Fiorentina.

Larnaca's exit was marred by late objects thrown from the home fans and Petros Ioannou's red card for a tackle on Jean-Philippe Mateta. The Cypriots fell short of their first-ever progression to the last eight of a major UEFA competition.