Ismaila Sarr struck twice as Crystal Palace overcame nine-man AEK Larnaca after extra time to secure a place in the Conference League last eight. The Senegal international opened the scoring in the 13th minute, giving Oliver Glasner’s side an ideal start following a goalless first leg in London.
The hosts responded after the interval when Enric Saborit headed home in the 63rd minute, punishing Palace for a lapse at the back. Momentum briefly shifted, but Saborit’s evening took a turn when he was dismissed for a second booking just 10 minutes later, leaving Larnaca a man down.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, the Cypriot side managed to push the tie into extra time. However, Palace eventually capitalised, with Sarr finishing from close range in the 99th minute after a low delivery from Daichi Kamada. That decisive moment sealed a quarter-final clash with Fiorentina.
Red cards and late chaos overshadow closing stages
The final moments were tense and ill-tempered, with another Larnaca defender, Petros Ioannou, sent off for a reckless challenge on Jean-Philippe Mateta. Tempers also spilled into the stands as home fans threw objects onto the pitch, disrupting the closing stages.
Palace’s win offered a measure of redemption after losing to the same opponents during the league phase earlier in the competition. While progression was secured, the performance itself was far from comfortable against a side that had been defensively solid, conceding only once in their previous seven matches in the tournament.
After taking the lead, Palace struggled to extend their advantage. The visitors were made to pay when Marcus Rohden’s corner was met by Saborit, whose header brought Larnaca level and reignited the contest.
Sarr leads the way as Palace keep European hopes alive
Sarr proved to be the standout figure throughout, not only scoring twice but also repeatedly threatening the Larnaca defence. He came close to completing a hat-trick, striking the crossbar and later the woodwork again in the dying seconds of the match.
Earlier in the game, he thought he had added a second goal in the first half, only for it to be ruled out for offside after connecting with Kamada’s cross. His overall display, however, provided the attacking spark Palace needed on a night when fluency was otherwise lacking.
Jørgen Strand Larsen also went close, hitting the post during a scramble in the box as Palace pressed their advantage in extra time. Sarr’s fifth goal in the competition ultimately proved decisive in separating the sides.
With an international break approaching, Palace will next be in action on 9 April in the quarter-finals. Glasner confirmed that Eddie Nketiah is expected to return, with the squad preparing for a demanding run of fixtures as they aim to extend their European campaign.