Palace edge past nine-man Larnaca to set up quarter-final clash with Serie A stalwarts

Football
20 Mar 2026 • 6:54 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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  • Crystal Palace advanced to the Conference League quarter-finals, where they will face Fiorentina, after a 2-1 extra-time victory over nine-man AEK Larnaca.
  • Ismaila Sarr was the decisive player, scoring both goals for Palace, including the winner in the ninth minute of added time.
  • Sarr initially opened the scoring in the 13th minute, but Enric Saborit equalised for Larnaca in the 63rd minute.
  • Larnaca had two players sent off; Saborit received a red card in the 73rd minute for a foul on Sarr, and Petros Ioannou was dismissed late on for a dangerous challenge.
  • Palace secured the 2-1 aggregate win when Sarr swept home his second goal from a corner, despite hitting the woodwork multiple times throughout the match.

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