zrinjski hold Crystal Palace to 1-1 in Mostar — Sarr scores but visitors left frustrated
Crystal Palace saw a dominant first‑leg display yield only a 1-1 draw in Mostar after Ismaila Sarr put the visitors ahead before Karlo Abramovic levelled early in the second half. Palace controlled possession but failed to turn pressure into a decisive advantage, leaving the tie finely poised ahead of the second leg at Selhurst Park on 26 February (ET).
Match recap: Sarr strike undone by second-half slip
Palace arrived in Mostar with a strong side and started on the front foot, enjoying more than 70% possession and creating the clearer openings. Ismaila Sarr fired Palace into the lead two minutes before half‑time after a slick build-up that featured a precise first touch from new signing Jørgen Strand Larsen to tee him up. The goal was Palace's reward for a lively opening spell that had seen chances created inside the box.
That control evaporated early in the second half. A sloppy pass from Adam Wharton just nine minutes after the break was seized on by Zrinjski; Leo Mikic picked out Karlo Abramovic, who rifled a low finish into the far corner to level the tie. The equaliser was a harsh reminder that dominance in possession does not always translate to control of the match, and it briefly swung momentum back to the hosts.
Palace had further opportunities to regain the lead. Wharton came agonisingly close to marking the night with his first goal for the club when his strike hit the crossbar late on. Chris Richards also threatened, heading wide from an unmarked position after meeting a Wharton corner, a miss that underlined a frustrated evening for the visitors despite the territorial edge.
What the draw means and the road ahead
The 1-1 result leaves the tie finely balanced ahead of the return at Selhurst Park on 26 February (ET). Palace will reflect on a missed chance to take a clear advantage to London: more than 70% possession and a string of openings were not converted, while Zrinjski did what many underdogs do superbly — make the most of a brief lapse to snatch a crucial away goal.
For Zrinjski, the draw represents a valuable scalp and a morale boost ahead of the second leg. Their route to this stage has been scrappy, and they grabbed the moment when Palace offered it. The Bosnian side’s ability to capitalise on turnovers and work the ball quickly into the box will be an area Palace must tighten up ahead of the return fixture.
Context and implications: Palace’s European tour and selection puzzles
This tie is the latest stop on Palace’s wider European campaign, which has already taken the squad across Norway, Poland, France and the Republic of Ireland. The team’s continental travels have produced memorable moments, but this match highlighted an ongoing tension: strong squad selection and possession statistics have not always produced decisive wins in this competition.
Manager Oliver Glasner can point to positives — a full-strength lineup, chances created and a goal from a key attacking threat — but will be questioning concentration lapses that allowed Abramovic room and time to score. With the second leg at Selhurst Park approaching, tactical tweaks to protect against quick counters and improve finishing in the box look likely.
Finally, attention will also turn to individual form. Sarr’s strike keeps him among the team’s Conference League scorers, and pre-match markets had highlighted him as a go-to anytime scorer. Whether Palace can convert possession into an aggregate win at Selhurst Park will determine if their European tour continues beyond the Round of 16 curtain-raiser.
