Crystal Palace Secure Conference League Progression with Commanding Win over Zrinjski

Key Takeaways:

• Crystal Palace advanced to the UEFA Conference League last 16 after a 2-0 win (3-1 on aggregate) at Selhurst Park last night
• Maxence Lacroix scored his second European goal of the season with a first-half header
• Palace will face either FSV Mainz 05 or AEK Larnaca in the upcoming round

Match Overview

Crystal Palace booked their place in the UEFA Conference League’s last sixteen following a solid 2-0 victory at home over Zrinjski Mostar, sealing a 3-1 triumph on aggregate. Oliver Glasner’s side, having been held to a draw in Bosnia in the first leg, returned to Selhurst Park needing to finish the job in front of their supporters.

See you in the last 16 of the UEFA Conference League 🤝 pic.twitter.com/mUVmLZAezf

— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) February 26, 2026

First Half: Tense Battle and Opening Goal

Despite fielding a strong starting eleven, Palace initially struggled to find fluency and intensity. Evann Guessand produced the first real opening with a deft header after only fifteen minutes, his effort prevented from reaching the target by a timely intervention from a Zrinjski defender.

Daichi Kamada also saw a promising strike diverted behind, capping off a fractious opening 45 minutes punctuated by frequent fouls and four yellow cards shared evenly between the two teams. The Bosnian champions remained pinned back, and Palace capitalised ten minutes before the break. Adam Wharton delivered a precise free kick which Maxence Lacroix glanced into the net, recording his second goal in European competition this term.

Second Half: Near Misses and Late Decisiveness

Zrinjski, marshalled by Igor Stimac, absorbed considerable pressure but Palace, acutely aware that a single-goal cushion was fragile, sought to kill off the tie. Ismaïla Sarr’s looping header was safely collected by goalkeeper Goran Karacic, who soon watched Chris Richards direct a header over the bar.

As the match entered its final ten minutes, Tyrick Mitchell made a surging run down the left wing, delivering an excellent cross for Sarr, whose header narrowly missed the target. Sarr’s frustration continued moments later, denied by Karacic after being sent clear by Chris Richards’ incisive pass.

Final Moments and Palace’s Assurance

The closing stages brought anxiety for the home support when Will Hughes and Kerim Memija clashed inside the box, but referee Luís Godinho signalled for a Palace free kick, diffusing the tension. Zrinjski forward Tomi Juric threatened in stoppage time with a header that drifted wide as the visitors chased a lifeline. Their hopes were extinguished, however, when Palace countered quickly and Brennan Johnson set up Guessand, who clinically doubled the advantage to secure the result.