Sarr double sees Palace into the quarter-finals | OneFootball

Crystal Palace were made to work for it but eventually booked their place in the Conference League quarter-finals.

The Eagles didn't show their attacking capabilities at all in the first leg at Selhurst Park meaning there was all to do in Cyprus but Oliver Glasner's team got off to a fine start.

The Premier League side took the lead in the 13th minute after Adam Wharton scooped a pass over the AEK Larnaca backline for Ismaila Sarr to run onto and sidestep the goalkeeper before passing the ball into an empty net.

Palace had opportunities to extend their lead which they went on to regret with just over an hour gone.

AEK had a corner from the right that Palace didn't defend, allowing Enric Saborit to rise highest and head into the corner.

But after becoming the hero for his side and levelling the score 1-1 on aggregate, Saborit then made AEK's night much more difficult. The Spaniard received a second yellow card 10 minutes after scoring for a cynical foul on Sarr and could have no complaints.

The English team couldn't take advantage of their numerical superiority before the end of regular time though with Jean-Philippe Mateta being introduced in the 83rd minute to provide more firing power.

Palace had to wait until extra-time to finally take the lead again after a short corner routine saw Daichi Kamada put in a low cross for Sarr to finish for his second of the night.

It certainly should have been three by half-time in extra-time when Sarr struck the bar with an effort before Jörgen Strand Larsen headed onto the post.

From that point you may have expected Palace to play the game out with superior numbers and a one-goal advantage but there was a mad final few minutes in Cyprus.

First, Petros Ioannou was given a straight red card for a foul on Mateta and then despite being down to nine Larnaca threw everyone forward, including the goalkeeper, for a late free-kick. Palace broke from that but Sarr could only hit the post.

There were plenty of times throughout the 210 minutes that Palace should have wrapped this tie up by they eventually progressed into the quarter-finals after a 2-1 win on the night.

Incidents: The story of the match

1':

The match begins

4':

Missed opportunity! Ismaïla Sarr from Crystal Palace took a right-footed shot from the right side of the six-yard box, but it goes just wide to the right. The assist came from Jørgen Strand Larsen.

AEK Larnaca 0, Crystal Palace 1. Ismaïla Sarr scores for Crystal Palace with a powerful right-footed strike from outside the penalty area, finding the center of the net after a quick counterattack.

13':

GOAL Crystal Palace: Ismaila Sarr (Crystal Palace) scores!

Ismaila Sarr scores goal number 4 in the competition (8 matches)

27':

Missed opportunity! Chris Richards of Crystal Palace had a header from the left side of the six-yard box, but it went wide to the left. The chance was set up by Ismaïla Sarr, who delivered a cross after a corner kick.

37':

Missed opportunity! Djordje Ivanovic from AEK Larnaca took a right-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area, but it didn't hit the target.

49':

Missed opportunity! Daichi Kamada from Crystal Palace took a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it didn't find the target.

49':

Missed opportunity! Daichi Kamada from Crystal Palace takes a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it goes wide to the right.

53':

Missed opportunity! Ismaïla Sarr from Crystal Palace takes a right-footed shot from over 35 yards, but it goes wide to the right.

It's now AEK Larnaca 1, Crystal Palace 1. Enric Saborit scores with a header from the middle of the box after a corner kick.

63':

GOAL AEK Larnaca: Enric Saborit (AEK Larnaca) scores!

Enric Saborit scores goal number 1 in the competition (6 matches)

65':

Missed opportunity. Maxence Lacroix of Crystal Palace had a header from the center of the box after a corner kick, but it went wide.

67':

Missed opportunity! Marcus Rohdén from AEK Larnaca took a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it didn't hit the target.

73':

Red Card for Enric Saborit (AEK Larnaca)

Enric Saborit has now picked up 0 red in the competition (6 matches)

81':

Missed opportunity! Ismaïla Sarr from Crystal Palace took a right-footed shot from the middle of the penalty area, but it didn?t hit the target.

89':

Missed opportunity! Daniel Muñoz from Crystal Palace had a header from the right side of the penalty area, but it went wide.

92':

Missed opportunity! Adam Wharton from Crystal Palace took a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it didn't hit the target.

92':

Missed opportunity. Adam Wharton from Crystal Palace took a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it went wide to the left.

97':

Missed opportunity. Ismaïla Sarr from Crystal Palace had a header from the middle of the penalty area.

AEK Larnaca 1, Crystal Palace 2. Ismaïla Sarr scores for Crystal Palace with a right-footed strike from the middle of the box, finding the center of the net. The assist came from Daichi Kamada after a corner kick.

99':

GOAL Crystal Palace: Ismaila Sarr (Crystal Palace) scores!

Ismaila Sarr scores goal number 5 in the competition (8 matches)

105':

Missed opportunity! Jørgen Strand Larsen from Crystal Palace took a right-footed shot from just a few yards out, but it went wide to the right.

108':

Missed opportunity! Ismaïla Sarr from Crystal Palace took a right-footed shot from the center of the box, but it went over the bar and to the right. He was assisted by Daichi Kamada.

120 +4':

Red Card for Petros Ioannou (AEK Larnaca)

Petros Ioannou has now picked up 0 red in the competition (3 matches)

120 +5':

Missed opportunity. Yéremy Pino from Crystal Palace took a right-footed shot from the middle of the penalty area.

120 +6':

Missed opportunity! Yéremy Pino of Crystal Palace takes a right-footed shot from the center of the box, but it goes just to the left of the goal. He was set up by Daniel Muñoz.

998':

The referee whistles for the end of the match