Crystal Palace booked their place in the Europa Conference League quarter-finals after edging past Larnaca 2-1 on aggregate following a dramatic night that required extra-time.
It was a contest that had just about everything – two red cards, a late penalty scare for the visitors and ultimately a Palace player stepping up when needed, as Ismaila Sarr proved the difference-maker with two goals to keep their European dream alive.
The reward is a mouth-watering quarter-final against Fiorentina, a tie that will provide a significant step up in quality and a true test of Palace’s European credentials.
The Eagles started with intent and were rewarded when Sarr nipped in behind to open the scoring after 13 minutes.
Palace looked in control, moving the ball with purpose and pinning Larnaca back but as has often been the case in knockout football, control doesn’t always equal comfort and Palace were almost too comfortable.
Larnaca grew into the game and punished a lapse in concentration when Enric Saborit rose highest to power home a headed equaliser with less than 30 minutes to go.
The major turning point arrived in the second half when Saborit, already walking a disciplinary tightrope, pulled the shirt of Sarr. The referee had little hesitation in producing a second yellow card, reducing the Cypriot side to 10 men and handing Palace a numerical advantage for the closing stages.
Yet, despite the extra man, Palace struggled to find the killer blow in normal time. Larnaca defended resolutely, slowing the tempo and frustrating the hosts enough to take the contest into extra-time.
But that resistance would finally break when Sarr slammed home from close range after relentless pressure just nine minutes into extra-time.
Larnaca still rallied in the closing stages with the referee initially pointing to the penalty spot for a handball by Jean-Philippe Mateta. But after 20 seconds of confusion, and with help from VAR, the referee overturned his decision.
Petros Ioannou was then sent-off after a VAR review for a high challenge on Mateta to leave the hosts down to nine men. Even then Palace couldn’t finish them off as Sarr managed to hit the post following a counter-attack with the Larnaca goalkeeper up the pitch.
Despite the drama, Palace’s European adventure rolls on.
When are the knockout stages?
Quarter-finals: April 9 and 16
Semi-finals: April 30 and May 7
Final: May 27 [Red Bull Arena, Leipzig]
