Crystal Palace 2-0 Zrinjski result (3-1 agg): Maxence Lacroix and Evan Guessand see Oliver Glasner's team into last 16 of the UEFA Conference League

UEFA Conference League / Knockout Round Play-offs

Selhurst Park / 26.02.2026

Crystal Palace

Finished

Aggregate score 3-1

HSK Zrinjski

M. Lacroix(36')
E. Guessand(90+3')

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Highlights

LACROIX HAILS 'PERFECT NIGHT' AT SELHURST PARK

Lacroix hails 'perfect night' but knows competition 'not easy' moving forward

Video credit: TNT Sports

LACROIX AND GUESSAND HELP PALACE TO LAST 16 AGAINST PLUCKY ZRINJSKI

Crystal Palace secured their spot in the last 16 of the UEFA Conference League with a 2-0 win on the night against Bosnian side Zrinjski.

Level at a goal apiece after the first leg, Palace were forced to play their first-choice side and immediately dominated.

Much like the first leg, though, they struggled to find the cutting edge to break down a stubborn Zrinjski side, who were able to maintain their compact shape and frustrate Palace.

'Nothing short of sublime!' - 'Perfect' Wharton delivery sets up Palace opener

Video credit: TNT Sports

That was until Adam Wharton put in a delightful ball from a free kick to the left of the box and Maxence Lacroix, who was unmarked, sprinted onto the ball and headed home to give Palace a deserved 1-0 lead five minutes before half-time.

Zrinjski were then forced to play in the second half but it was hardly an all-out attacking performance from the Bosnian side, who were biding their time and looking to strike, much like they did a week ago.

They never came hugely close to doing so but as the clock ticked on with the score at only 1-0, Selhurst Park grew more and more tense.

Guessand 'buries' Palace second to secure progression - 'That's how to finish!'

Video credit: TNT Sports

Ismaila Sarr will be wondering how on earth he did not score, with two glorious chances falling his way in the last 10 minutes to put the tie to bed, the first coming from a pinpoint cross from Tyrick Mitchell which he headed wide and the second when he found himself through on goal and hit it straight at the keeper.

If Zrinjski did score, Sarr would not have slept well but, thankfully for him, that was not the case and Evan Guessand put the game and the tie to bed with a composed finish in stoppage time to send Oliver Glasner’s side through to the round of 16.

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22:18

'IT MEANS A LOT' - GLASNER

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner told TNT Sports how much winning the game means, he said: "It means a lot as we've not had easy weeks but to now have back-to-back wins at Selhurst, it's good.

"Everyone expects us to win this type of game, but sometimes these are the most difficult ones.

"It was the same against Wolves, and we managed it in the final minutes. Today was a very clinical win. We took our lessons from the first game and we waited for our moments. We had to be patient and didn't give them any transitions."

"We stuck to the plan. We were a little bit more cautious and decided to keep our wing-backs a bit deeper. We were always balanced, which is what pleased me tonight.

"Since day one, we've had a great relationship with the fans. Yes, they have been a little bit critical, but they are allowed to be critical when the results and the performances aren't good.

"But, overall, we're in a good position in the Premier League and we're into the last 16 of the Conference League.

"Now, we want to see consistency, and I believe we are on track. We are going to Old Trafford not just for holidays in Manchester so we hope we come back with a win."

22:07

A LOOK BACK AT THE GOALS

Palace scored both of their goals in the back end of the half, with one coming just before half time and one just before the final whistle - let's have a look at the goals:

'Nothing short of sublime!' - 'Perfect' Wharton delivery sets up Palace opener

Video credit: TNT Sports

Guessand 'buries' Palace second to secure progression - 'That's how to finish!'

Video credit: TNT Sports

PUNDIT REACTION

TNT Sports' pundits James Tomkins and Fara Williams explained the importance of Crystal Palace getting through to the Last 16

Former Palace defender Tompkins said: "Palace needed to get through to the last 16 of the competition. They are strong favourites to now go on and win it from here.

"It wasn't the most convincing performance but they just needed to get over the line."

Fara Williams said: "Tonight was about getting a result more than a performance as it was about getting the fans back on board.

"They've not been happy lately because of results, but this result helps get them back onside.

"They will have to be more clinical and they are going to have to become more comfortable in possession and find ways to break down opposition as they are going to have a lot more of it if they are to progress as they are the team to beat."

22:01

'WE GOT THE JOB DONE'

Crystal Palace's opening goalscorer Maxence Lacroix spoke to TNT Sports immediately after the match ended and explained that the competition is not easy but that they got the job done.

He said: "First of all, we have to go game by game, this competition is not easy, so we can see that every time it is difficult to play away or even to play at home but today we did the job, so this is the most important for us.

"We are really happy, you know when you win, you are always happy, I think we worked hard for that and like I said, we got the job done, so this is the most important."

90'

FULL TIME: Crystal Palace 2(3)-0(1) Zrinjski

And Palace are through!

Another great night for Crystal Palace under Oliver Glasner, it may not have been vintage Palace at times but they got the job done and now they are in the Last 16.

Reaction to come!

90+3'

Don Hutchison told TNT Sports: "It doesn't always have to be about finesse when you finish. Head down and bury it into the corner, and Palace are through. He smashes it into the corner, away from the goalkeeper."

90+1'

GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLL!

And you can hear the relief!

That is the tie done, Evan Guessand scores the second with a well taken hit into the bottom left corner.

All the nerves can settled now for Palace and Glasner, they are into the Last 16!

89'

ZRINJSKI THROWING EVERYTHING AT THIS

Unsurprisingly, with nothing to lose and absolutely everything to gain, Zrinjski are throwing everything at Crystal Palace here.

So far so good but as we enter four minutes of stoppage time, there may be a few nerves.

85'

ANOTHER BIG CHANCE!

It's Ismaila Sarr again!

Played through on goal and one on one with the keeper and he hits it straight at him, if Zrinjski get a late goal here, Sarr will massively regret not scoring either of those chances.

80'

HOW HAS HE NOT SCORED!?

Oh that should be the game done there.

Tyrick Mitchell with a stupendous ball in from the left hand side and Ismaila Sarr heads it wide.

He has the entire goal to aim at and should really be doing better there to be honest, that could and should be the game all wrapped up.

77'

PALACE LOOKING A THREAT ONCE MORE

WIth a front three now of Evan Guessand, Brennan Johnson and Ismaila Sarr, Crystal Palace now look a real threat going forward on the counter with significant pace.

73'

SUBSTITUTION PALACE

Brennan Johnson replaces Jorgen Strand Larsen as Oliver Glasner looks to use the Weshman's pace.

72'

ZRINSJKI STARTING TO DOMINATE

Palace have sat back a bit and it is not working, the away side have had their best passage of the game.

A few dangerous balls played into the box do not result in a goal but it does feel as though it is coming.

70'

CORNER ZRINJSKI

A rare corner for the Bosnian side, in fact, their first of the night.

It doesn't lead to anything though but the away side are certainly starting to ramp up proceedings here, Palace will need to be wary.

65'

YELLOW CARD

Mikic is shown a yellow card for accumulation as he brings down Ismaila Sarr.

Daichi Kamada plays in a brilliant ball but somehow neither Jorgen Strand Larsen or Evan Guessand are on their toes to tap it home.

62'

PALACE WITH ALL THE BALL AGAIN

Zrinjski are having to try and play now with Crystal Palace in the lead but it is leaving Palace with all the ball as a result of some loose passes.

They have now had 70% of possession tonight but need a second goal to feel completely comfortable and once again they have struggled in front of goal, with just two shots on target.

55'

SUBSTITUTION

Adam Wharton, the man who whipped in the ball that has put Palace into this position is replaced by Will Hughes after receiving a yellow card.

TNT Sports' Don Hutchinson said: "Changes in the mind of Oliver Glasner and Will Hughes is getting ready to come on.

"With Adam Wharton being on a yellow card, I thought that would be the likely change.

"His cross was the best bit of class we've seen at Selhurst Park tonight. Very rarely does Will Hughes give the ball away. He's one of these players who allows others to play well."

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