Game is over and the final score is Hsk Zrinjski Mostar 1-1 Crystal Palace. Here is the match report.
2025/2026 UEFA Europa Conference League
1-1
Match Report
Crystal Palace have now won just one of their last 15 matches after they squandered the lead in a 1-1 draw against Zrinjski in the first leg of this UEFA Conference League play-off tie.
On a landmark evening which marked Palace’s first-ever game in European knockout competition, the Eagles flew out of the traps and ought to have taken an early lead through Ismaïla Sarr. The Senegalese wide man broke in behind the Zrinjski defence and forced Goran Karačić into a fine save which fell kindly for Adam Wharton on the rebound, but he blazed over. Oliver Glasner’s men did eventually have the ball in the back of the net, and it was that man Sarr again involved, firing home after Chris Richards kept the ball alive inside the area, but Palace’s American defender had strayed offside in the build-up and the assistant referee’s flag cut celebrations short.
The Bosnian side spent almost the entire first half sponging up pressure, but for all their sitting in and defending, it was the hosts who created the biggest chance of the first half. A hopeful ball into the box was nodded down by Mario Ćuže perfectly into the path of Antonio Ivančić who, despite having the freedom of the penalty area, incredibly blazed handsomely over the bar. They were left to rue that missed opportunity on the stroke of HT too, when a deft lay-off from Jørgen Strand Larsen was swept into the far corner by Sarr from the edge of the area.
Palace perhaps became complacent after taking the lead, and they were caught cold within 10 minutes of the restart. A loose pass in midfield was pounced upon by Leo Mikić, who strode forward and fed Karlo Abramovic, whose laser-like effort nestled in the far corner. Zrinjski were buoyed by that leveller and created a gilt-edged chance to take the lead when Ćuže was played clean through on goal, but he dithered for too long and the pressure of a Palace defender breathing down his neck forced him to skew his effort wide.
The Eagles did apply some late pressure and rattled the crossbar through Adam Wharton, while Richards missed an unmarked header six yards from goal. Matej Šakota threatened a late winner for the hosts when he tested Dean Henderson, and Palace received an even bigger let-off from the rebound when Daniel Muñoz’s handball went unpunished following a lengthy check at the pitchside monitor. That incident prompted a sizable amount of stoppage time, but neither side were able to capitalise, leaving it all to play for ahead of next week’s second leg at Selhurst Park.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
7' Highlight from Hsk Zrinjski Mostar vs Crystal Palace
14' Match Event for Hsk Zrinjski Mostar vs Crystal Palace
45' GOAL! Hsk Zrinjski Mostar 0-1 Crystal Palace
49' Match Event for Hsk Zrinjski Mostar vs Crystal Palace
55' GOAL! Hsk Zrinjski Mostar 1-1 Crystal Palace (Karlo Abramovic)
73' Highlight from Hsk Zrinjski Mostar vs Crystal Palace
Line-ups
Hsk Zrinjski Mostar XI: Hrvoje Barisic, Goran Karacic, Petar Mamic, Neven Djurasek, Antonio Ivancic, Mario Cuze, Marko Vranjkovic, Igor Savic, Leo Mikic, Karlo Abramovic, Duje Dujmovic
Subs: T. Jurić, Kerim Memija, Adi Nalic, Cavar, Stefano Surdanovic, Dan Lagumdzija, Matej Sakota, Tin Sajko, Toni Majic, David Karacic, Antonio Arapovic, Matej Bogdan
Crystal Palace XI: Dean Henderson, Borna Sosa, Kamada, Sarr, Jørgen Strand Larsen, Daniel Muñoz, Maxence Lacroix, Chris Richards, Brennan Johnson, Chadi Riad, Adam Wharton
Subs: Clyne, Walter Benítez, Hughes, Remi Matthews, Evann Guessand, Yeremy, Tyrick Mitchell, Justin Devenny, Kaden Rodney, Jaydee Canvot, Rio Cardines