Crystal Palace have successfully booked their place in the UEFA Conference League last 16 following a 2-0 victory against Zrinjski Mostar in the second leg of their play-off tie at Selhurst Park. This result allowed them to overturn the 1-1 draw they endured in the first leg against the Bosnian side, culminating in a 3-1 aggregate triumph. For Palace, this marks a significant milestone as it is their first experience competing in the knockout stages of a major European tournament, a stage that brought both pressure and opportunity.
The win was particularly crucial for Oliver Glasner’s squad, who had been under intense scrutiny after a string of disappointing performances in the Premier League and a shocking FA Cup exit at the hands of sixth-tier Macclesfield. Glasner, who has already announced his departure at the end of the season, had faced growing calls for his dismissal from frustrated fans. However, the victory at Selhurst Park, highlighted by goals from Maxence Lacroix and Evann Guessand, provided much-needed relief and a temporary reprieve from the mounting pressure.
The breakthrough came in the 36th minute when Adam Wharton delivered a precise free-kick that found Lacroix, who made no mistake heading the ball into the net from close range. The home side then sealed their progression deep into stoppage time, as Guessand, who had recently netted a winner against Wolves, skillfully converted a pass from Brennan Johnson into the far corner. Glasner reflected on the result, emphasizing the strong connection between the team and their supporters despite recent criticism, acknowledging that fans’ frustrations were understandable given the team’s inconsistent form.
Looking ahead, Crystal Palace will face either German club Mainz or Cypriot side AEK Larnaca in the next round, setting up an intriguing last 16 clash that promises to test the squad further. Meanwhile, Fiorentina experienced a far more dramatic and nerve-wracking path to the same stage. The Italian side nearly suffered a humiliating exit after surrendering a commanding 3-0 first-leg advantage against Polish outfit Jagiellonia Bialystok.
Jagiellonia’s Bartosz Mazurek produced a stunning hat-trick in the second leg, forcing the tie into extra time at the Artemio Franchi stadium. Despite the mounting pressure, Fiorentina managed to regain control thanks to a goal from Nicolo Fagioli and an own goal by Taras Romanchuk. The tension peaked when Jesus Imaz scored in the 118th minute, threatening to derail Fiorentina’s hopes, but a late red card for Jagiellonia’s Bernardo Vital ultimately swung the balance back in Fiorentina’s favor. The final 4-2 win on the night was not enough for the Polish side, as Fiorentina advanced 5-4 on aggregate.
It is worth noting that Fiorentina’s current focus remains on their domestic struggles, as they find themselves perilously close to the relegation zone in Serie A, occupying 16th place. Despite this, the club has a respectable recent history in the Conference League, having reached two finals—losing to West Ham and Olympiakos—and one semi-final in the last three seasons. Their sole European trophy remains the 1961 UEFA Cup, but the team is clearly aiming to make another significant impact on the continental stage this season.
Elsewhere in the competition, Dutch side AZ Alkmaar overturned a first-leg deficit to defeat Armenian club Noah 4-0, setting up a last 16 encounter with either Czech team Sparta Prague or Greek club AEK Athens. Polish club Lech Poznan secured a 3-0 aggregate victory over Finland’s KuPS and will next face Ukrainian powerhouse Shakhtar Donetsk or Spain’s Rayo Vallecano. Czech outfit Sigma Olomouc edged past Switzerland’s Lausanne-Sport 3-2 on aggregate, earning a tie against Mainz or AEK Larnaca.
Other notable qualifiers include Slovenian league leaders Celje, who advanced 6-4 on aggregate against Kosovo’s FC Drita and now await Sparta Prague or AEK Athens. Croatian side Rijeka secured a 4-1 aggregate win over Cypriot club Omonia Nicosia, setting up a clash with Strasbourg or Rakow Czestochowa. Meanwhile, Turkish club Samsunspor dominated North Macedonia’s Shkendija 4-0 in the second leg to complete a 5-0 aggregate victory, and will face either Shakhtar Donetsk or Rayo Vallecano in the next round.
As the UEFA Conference League progresses into the knockout stages, these fixtures promise to deliver exciting and competitive football, with clubs from across Europe vying for continental glory and the chance to enhance their reputations on the international stage.
