Crystal Palace held to 1-1 draw at Zrinjski after Ismaila Sarr strike
Crystal Palace were held to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Conference League play-off tie after Ismaila Sarr's opener was cancelled out by Karlo Abramovic, leaving the tie finely poised ahead of the second leg at Selhurst Park.
Crystal Palace dominated possession but failed to convert control into a win
The visitors enjoyed more than 70% possession and created early openings, with Sarr and Adam Wharton both threatening in the opening exchanges. A Sarr effort was ruled out for an offside involvement from a team-mate in the first half, but Palace finally broke the deadlock two minutes before half-time when Jorgen Strand Larsen's neat touch set up Ismaila Sarr to curl home the opener.
Despite the dominance, Crystal Palace were left frustrated after the break. A sloppy start to the second half led to Zrinjski drawing level when Karlo Abramovic drilled home following a strong run from Leo Mikic. The Premier League side were unable to fashion enough clear chances thereafter; Wharton came closest late on when his long-range effort rattled the crossbar.
Strand Larsen assist, late VAR penalty check and what it means for the tie
Oliver Glasner named a strong side that included new additions and attacking options, and the combination play that produced Sarr's goal highlighted one positive to take back to Selhurst Park. Strand Larsen's involvement in the opening goal underlined the attacking intent Glasner deployed, but defensive lapses cost Palace when Abramovic punished a midfield turnover to level the tie.
The match also featured a late VAR intervention when Zrinjski players initially thought they had won a penalty for a possible handball in a crowded aerial challenge. The referee checked the monitor and declined to award a spot-kick, allowing Dean Henderson and his teammates to breathe a sigh of relief as the first leg finished 1-1.
Looking ahead to the second leg at Selhurst Park
With the tie poised on away goals no longer in play, the sides will meet again for the return at Selhurst Park on 26 February at 3: 00 PM ET. Palace will need to turn their territorial control into a more clinical visiting performance if they are to secure progression, while Zrinjski will be buoyed by the leveller and the reprieve from the late penalty check.
Monday's result also extends a difficult run for Palace in terms of wins: the side have won one of their last 15 matches across all competitions, a statistic that underlines the urgency of a more decisive showing at home next week. The draw leaves the tie evenly poised and shifts the focus firmly to Selhurst Park for the deciding encounter.
