Evann Guessand scored in injury time as Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace beat Zrinjski Mostar 2-0 at Selhurst Park to win the tie 3-1 on aggregate and progress to the UEFA Conference League last 16.
Palace opened the scoring in the 36th minute when Maxence Lacroix headed in from a superb Adam Wharton set-piece delivery. That proved to be the only shot on target in the first half, with a spotty Selhurst atmosphere and noticeable empty seats reflecting a subdued crowd.
Zrinjski, who had failed to score away in this season’s Conference League, offered little threat for much of the match. Ismaila Sarr missed a one-on-one when denied by goalkeeper Goran Karacic and squandered other opportunities as Palace searched for a second goal. Tomi Juric glanced a header wide late on, but Guessand broke through in stoppage time to seal the win.
Player ratings (selected)
– 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 learn their last-16 opponents in Friday’s draw in Nyon, Switzerland. The draw will pair play-off winners with the eight seeded teams from the league phase and also allocate bracket positions so clubs can see potential quarter-final and semi-final opponents. Palace will play the second leg of their next tie away, against either Mainz or AEK Larnaca.
Glasner on his position and pressure
Glasner downplayed speculation about an early exit from Selhurst Park but admitted he has felt the backlash during a difficult spell. He told TNT Sports he had “100-per-cent assurance” of staying, stressed the importance of players and staff believing in each other, and acknowledged that some of his own interviews “were not really helpful.” He said Palace remain in a strong league position and urged supporters and the team to push for a successful season.
Zrinjski boss Igor Stimac praised Palace and tipped them as one of the competition favourites, naming them his top pick to win the Conference League and placing Mainz second.
What’s next for Palace
Palace have back-to-back wins for the first time since December, a run that should steady Glasner ahead of a Premier League trip to Manchester United this weekend. Upcoming fixtures include domestic league matches and the Conference League last-16 tie to be scheduled after Friday’s draw.