Fiorentina 2-1 Crystal Palace: Eagles reach first-ever European semi-final despite defeat in Florence | OneFootball

Crystal Palace fell to a 2-1 defeat at Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League quarter-final second leg on Thursday,

They have qualified for the semi-final, having won 4-2 on aggregate.

Palace almost broke the deadlock in the seventh minute. The ball fell kindly to Daniel Munoz inside the area, but he failed to hit the target.

Munoz set up the opening goal in the 17th minute, delivering a cross into the box where Ismaila Sarr was waiting to plant a header into the net.

Sarr almost doubled Palace’s lead with a powerful strike, but was denied by goalkeeper David de Gea.

Fiorentina were awarded a penalty just before half-hour mark. Albert Gudmundsson sent Dean Henderson the wrong way from the spot kick.

Henderson made a crucial save before half-time, denying Manor Solomon from giving the hosts the lead.

However, the goalkeeper could not prevent Cher Ndour’s long-range strike from breaching his goal in the 53rd minute, giving the hosts a 2-1 lead.

Henderson made a good save to deny Gudmundsson his second of the night after the hour mark.

Fiorentina cranked up the pressure late on, but the Eagles held on to their aggregate advantage to qualify for their first-ever European semi-final.