Crystal Palace secured progression to the UEFA Conference League last 16 after a 2-0 victory over Zrinjski Mostar at Selhurst Park, winning the tie 3-1 on aggregate. Oliver Glasner’s side were ultimately made to wait until stoppage time for a second goal, when substitute Evann Guessand finished to wrap up the win.
Maxence Lacroix opened the scoring in the 36th minute, heading in from a precise Adam Wharton set-piece. That strike was the only effort on target in a first half played in front of a subdued crowd at Selhurst Park, with noticeable empty seats and a patchy atmosphere.
Zrinjski offered very little threat for long periods and remain without an away goal in this season’s Conference League. Ismaila Sarr squandered a one-on-one when denied by goalkeeper Goran Karacic and missed other chances as Palace searched for a second. Tomi Juric had a late header that glanced wide before Guessand’s late strike sealed the victory.
Selected player ratings
– Crystal Palace: Henderson 6, Munoz 6, Lacroix 7, Richards 6, Canvot 6, Mitchell 6, Wharton 8, Kamada 7, Sarr 6, Guessand 8, Strand Larsen 6
– Subs: Hughes 6, Johnson 6
– Player of the Match: Adam Wharton
Palace will discover their last-16 opponents in Friday’s draw in Nyon, Switzerland. The draw pairs play-off winners with the eight seeded teams from the league phase and also sets out bracket positions so clubs can identify potential quarter-final and semi-final opponents. Palace are scheduled to play the second leg of their next tie away, against either Mainz or AEK Larnaca depending on the play-off outcome.
Glasner on his position and pressure
Glasner sought to play down talk of his future after the game, acknowledging the recent backlash but insisting he has the club’s backing. Speaking to TNT Sports, he said he had “100-per-cent assurance” that he would remain in post, urged staff and players to maintain belief in one another and admitted some of his earlier interviews had not helped. He also pointed to Palace’s solid league standing and called on fans and the squad to keep pushing for a strong finish to the season.
Zrinjski manager Igor Stimac paid tribute to Palace, tipping them as one of the favourites to win the competition and naming them his top pick, with Mainz his second choice.
What’s next
This is Palace’s first consecutive victory run since December, a boost for Glasner ahead of a Premier League trip to Manchester United this weekend. Domestic league fixtures come next, with the Conference League last-16 scheduled once Friday’s draw has finalized opponents and dates.