Crystal Palace advanced to the UEFA Conference League semi-finals 4-2 on aggregate over Fiorentina, even after a 2-1 loss in the second leg in Florence.
Ismaila Sarr put Palace ahead early with a powered header, adding to the advantage they had built with a 3-0 win in the first leg at Selhurst Park. Fiorentina fought back when Albert Guðmundsson converted a penalty after Jaydee Canvot was adjudged to have fouled Rolando Mandragora in the box, reducing the deficit.
The game was disrupted for Palace by two early injury-enforced changes. England under-21 midfielder Adam Wharton limped off after around 30 minutes and Jefferson Lerma replaced him, while Maxence Lacroix was withdrawn before half-time and Chadi Riad came on. Jean-Philippe Mateta did not return after the break and Jørgen Strand Larsen was introduced.
Fiorentina had moments of pressure in the second half, highlighted by a superb long-range strike from Cher Ndour, but their fightback fell short and Palace held on to reach the last four. They will face Shakhtar Donetsk, who beat AZ Alkmaar 5-2 over two legs to book their semi-final spot. Palace will play the first leg away in Poland on April 30 and host the return at Selhurst Park on May 7, giving them the second-leg advantage.
Player ratings (Palace): Henderson 5, Muñoz 6, Lacroix 5, Canvot 5, Richards 6, Mitchell 6, Wharton 5, Kamada 6, Sarr 7, Mateta 5, Pino 5. Subs: Lerma 6, Hughes 6, Larsen 5, Riad 6. Player of the Match: Sarr.
Speaking to TNT Sports, goalkeeper Dean Henderson celebrated the achievement: “This is unbelievable for this football club… to keep going and write a new chapter in the book is phenomenal. The fans have stuck by us in the difficult times this season and hopefully we can deliver them something really special.”
Manager Oliver Glasner admitted the second leg was challenging but felt his side deserved to progress. He explained the need for two first-half substitutions, saying Wharton felt pain in his adductor and that Lacroix suffered a medial ligament injury to his knee, though he hoped it would not be too serious. Glasner praised his squad’s resilience and noted that knockout ties sometimes demand different attributes than simply playing the best football.
Palace reached the Conference League after being placed in the competition due to UEFA ownership rules and are now one of five English clubs in the last four, alongside Chelsea, West Ham, Leicester and Aston Villa. The club, its manager and supporters will now aim to maintain this historic run and mount a serious challenge for Palace’s first European trophy.