Crystal Palace Celebrates European Advancement Following Sarr’s Dramatic Goal

A Memorable Night in Cyprus

Oliver Glasner praised Crystal Palace’s remarkable achievement after Ismaïla Sarr’s late goal in extra time sealed a victory against a weakened AEK Larnaca, propelling the team into the Conference League quarterfinals where they will face Fiorentina.

Sarr opened the scoring for Palace in the 13th minute in Cyprus, following a goalless draw in the first leg. Enric Saborit equalized for Larnaca in the 63rd minute but was sent off shortly thereafter, receiving a second yellow card.

Sarr struck again nine minutes into extra time to restore Palace’s advantage. He nearly completed his hat-trick, hitting the crossbar twice, the second instance occurring after Larnaca found themselves down to nine players due to Petros Ioannou’s red card.

Glasner’s Reflections on Progress

“It’s a significant accomplishment,” Glasner remarked to TNT Sports. “We’re eager to take full advantage of the next three weeks as we gear up for our match against Fiorentina at Selhurst Park.”

He continued, “We will enjoy a few days off, but then many players will join their national teams. We’ll conduct a friendly match to maintain our momentum. With Eddie Nketiah expected to return, we’ll have more support as we tackle a packed schedule leading to the season’s conclusion, and we hope to extend our European campaign.”

Sarr’s Impact Since Joining

Sarr, who transferred to Palace from Marseille in August 2024 for a reported fee of £12.6 million, has consistently proven his worth by scoring crucial goals for the team.

• Notably, Sarr’s two goals against Aston Villa last season helped propel Palace to the FA Cup final at Wembley, marking the club’s first major trophy.
• He also played a key role in their Community Shield victory over Liverpool, scoring an equalizer that led to a penalty shootout, where he successfully converted one of the penalties.

Last night’s crucial goal marked Sarr’s fifth in the Conference League, a season where goals have been somewhat elusive.

Teammate’s Praise

Midfielder Adam Wharton shared his thoughts with TNT, highlighting Sarr’s performances: “[Sarr] has been excelling in the Premier League as well. He’s scoring frequently, providing assists, and his speed is remarkable.”

He added, “Against compact defenses, having the ability to exploit any space can be incredibly effective, and we’re thrilled to have him on our side.”