“A huge achievement for us, a huge achievement for Crystal Palace playing the quarter-final of a European competition,” said manager Oliver Glasner following his team’s hard-fought match against AEK Larnaca.

Crystal Palace emerged victorious with a 2-1 aggregate score, securing their place in the UEFA Conference League quarter-finals. The decisive second leg, held at the AEK Arena in Cyprus, ended in a 1-1 draw, with Ismaïla Sarr scoring both goals for the Eagles.

In a tightly contested match, AEK Larnaca’s Enric Saborit managed to equalize, but his efforts were overshadowed when he received a red card, leaving his team at a disadvantage. The situation worsened for Larnaca as Petros Ioannou was also sent off in the closing stages, reducing them to nine men.

The match was officiated by Aliyar Aghayev, with Jeroen Manschot serving as VAR. It was broadcast live on TNT Sports 3 and streamed on Discovery+, allowing fans to follow the action closely.

Crystal Palace’s journey in European competition has been a significant milestone for the club, with many players experiencing this level of play for the first time. Adam Wharton expressed the excitement, stating, “It’s exciting. The quarter-final of a European competition is a massive thing – a lot of us haven’t played in Europe before so it’s a great challenge for us to play against a top team in Italy.”

With this victory, Crystal Palace will now prepare for their next match against Fiorentina on April 9, 2026, as they look to continue their impressive run in the tournament.

Overall, the match showcased the determination and skill of both teams, with Crystal Palace ultimately proving to be the stronger side. The players demonstrated respect for one another, as noted by AEK Larnaca’s coach Javi Rozada, who remarked, “We showed what we can do. We showed that we respect each other. We will do everything tomorrow against a team with enough quality, from a very strong and competitive league.”