Crystal Palace Advances to Conference League Quarters

Crystal Palace advanced to the quarterfinals of the UEFA Conference League on Thursday with a 2-1 victory over AEK Larnaca after extra time in the second leg of their round-of-16 tie at the AEK Arena in Cyprus. The win secured a 2-1 aggregate triumph following a goalless first leg at Selhurst Park, marking the English club's first progression to this stage in its debut major European campaign.

Ismaila Sarr proved decisive for Palace, scoring both goals in a match that tested their resolve against a resilient Cypriot side. The Senegalese forward opened the scoring in the 14th minute, latching onto a deflected pass from Adam Wharton, rounding goalkeeper Zlatan Alomerovic and rolling the ball into an empty net. Palace dominated possession at over 70 percent but struggled to convert chances, with Maxence Lacroix heading straight at Alomerovic just before halftime and Sarr seeing efforts deflected or saved after the break.

AEK Larnaca leveled the score in the 63rd minute when defender Enric Saborit rose to head in Marcus Rohden's corner, capitalizing on Palace's profligacy. The hosts' momentum was short-lived, however, as Saborit received a second yellow card 10 minutes later for...