Crystal Palace overcome AEK Larnaca in extra time to progress to Conference League quarterfinals

Imanol Idiakez’s backline came into this fixture having conceded just once in the tournament, a run that featured 180 minutes without a goal against Palace. Larnaca’s solid defence faced initial pressure, with Ismaïla Sarr directing the opening effort into the side netting.

They were breached in the 14th minute, however, when Sarr broke free onto Adam Wharton’s deflected through ball, evaded Zlatan Alomerovic and slotted home.

The Eagles kept dominance and nearly doubled their lead eight minutes later, though Sarr was slightly offside when nodding in Daichi Kamada’s deep cross, and Chris Richards missed a header from his lofted delivery.

As the Yellow-Greens pushed forward, Riad Bajic connected with Angel Garcia’s delivery but nodded directly at Walter Benitez, while Dorde Ivanovic fired wildly over after cutting inside effectively.

Still, Maxence Lacroix prompted a double stop from Alomerovic near half time, and Palace maintained their danger post interval.

Sarr crashed a strike into Evann Guessand and Kamada missed the target, as Jorgen Strand Larsen spoilt a good chance with a wayward touch.

That profligacy was made to count shortly past the hour, with Enric Saborit leaping to connect with Marcus Rohden’s corner and directing his header firmly into the bottom corner.

Alomerovic produced a double save to thwart Wharton and Daniel Munoz while the away side hunted an equaliser, and merely 11 minutes after levelling, Saborit received a second yellow card, both for fouling Sarr.

Sarr wasted a clear chance from Munoz’s pullback and later saw a header cleared off the line, pushing the match to extra time where he again erred by overheading Yeremy Pino’s chipped pass.

Those misses ended in the 99th minute, though, as Sarr controlled Kamada’s driven cutback and finished neatly past Alomerovic.

Sarr and Strand Larsen struck the frame of the goal as the Eagles chased a decisive third, but the home side failed to trouble Benitez, allowing Palace to claim their first victory in three across all competitions and earn a UECL quarterfinal clash with Fiorentina.

To add to Larnaca’s disappointing elimination, items were hurled by home supporters late in the game and Petros Ioannou was dismissed for a challenge on Jean-Philippe Mateta, ending the Cypriots’ hopes of reaching the last eight of a major UEFA event for the first time.