“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.”

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“I’m not frustrated today – we just didn’t take the chances. We will play the third game against them and it’s time to score,” said Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner following the match against AEK Larnaca.

Crystal Palace hosted AEK Larnaca in the first leg of their UEFA Europa Conference League Round of 16 tie on March 12, 2026, at Selhurst Park, London. This match came after a previous encounter where Palace suffered a 1-0 defeat to Larnaca 139 days prior.

Team Performance

Despite a strong performance, Crystal Palace was unable to convert their opportunities into goals. The team had recently enjoyed a club record unbeaten run of 19 matches, but their current league position stands at 13th.

AEK Larnaca, on the other hand, is performing well in their league, currently sitting third in the Cypriot league. They have also shown defensive strength, keeping six clean sheets in their seven Conference League matches thus far.

Player Updates

Jean-Philippe Mateta made a notable return as a late substitute after missing six weeks due to a knee injury, adding depth to Palace’s attacking options. The predicted lineup for Crystal Palace included players such as Henderson, Richards, and Sarr, while AEK Larnaca’s lineup featured Alomerovic and Ekpolo.

Broadcast Information

The match was broadcast live on TNT Sport 2, with streaming available on Discovery+, allowing fans to follow the action closely.

As the teams prepare for their next encounter, Glasner’s focus remains on capitalizing on scoring opportunities to turn the tide in their favor. The anticipation builds for the upcoming matches as both teams aim to secure their positions in the tournament.

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