Zrinjski Vs Crystal Palace: Sarr strike cancelled out as Palace held 1-1 in first leg

Crystal Palace were held to a 1-1 draw away to Zrinjski Mostar in the first leg of their Conference League play-off, a result that leaves the tie finely poised ahead of the return at Selhurst Park on 26 February. The match, a frustrating night for the visitors, featured an Ismaila Sarr opener and a second-half equaliser from the hosts in a game that tested Palace’s momentum.

What happened and what’s new

Palace, who have won one of their last 15 games across all competitions, dominated possession for much of the match but were unable to turn control into a decisive advantage. Ismaila Sarr fired Crystal Palace ahead two minutes before half-time after a set-up touch from the new signing Jørgen Strand Larsen, taking his tally to three goals in this season’s competition.

Ten minutes into the second half, Zrinjski levelled when Karlo Abramovic drilled a shot past Dean Henderson following a loose pass from Adam Wharton. Palace survived a late penalty scare when a handball contention led the referee to check the monitor; no penalty was awarded. The second leg will be at Selhurst Park on 26 February at 3: 00 PM ET.

Zrinjski Vs Crystal Palace — Behind the headline

Context, incentives and key stakeholders are all visible in the match events. Oliver Glasner named a strong Palace line-up after an eight-day break, with Adam Wharton, Brennan Johnson and Jørgen Strand Larsen selected to bolster the attack. That selection reflected an incentive to press for a knockout win in Europe, yet the team’s recent form — a single win in 15 matches across competitions — framed the visit as a delicate balancing act between rotation, recovery and results.

Stakeholders and immediate impacts:

• Crystal Palace players and manager: carry the responsibility to deliver a stronger second-leg performance at Selhurst Park.
• Zrinjski Mostar: gained a valuable home result that leaves them level and confident ahead of the return fixture.
• Key players highlighted in the tie: Ismaila Sarr for Palace and Karlo Abramovic for Zrinjski, with Dean Henderson involved in crucial moments.

What remains confirmed in the match report: Palace had more than 70% possession; Sarr scored in the 43rd minute; Abramovic equalised roughly 55 minutes in; a VAR check examined an alleged handball late on and no penalty was given. Other match events noted included an early disallowed Palace goal for offside and an Adam Wharton long-range effort that hit the crossbar late in the game.

What we still don’t know

• Fitness and selection choices for the second leg: which players will be available or rested after the short interval.
• Whether Palace’s possession dominance will be converted into more clinical finishing in the return match.
• How the late VAR handball check will influence refereeing or tactical caution in the second leg.
• Any disciplinary or injury developments arising from the first leg that could affect squad lists.

What happens next and why it matters

• Palace push for a decisive home result: Trigger — a stronger, more cutting attacking display at Selhurst Park aimed at overturning the tie’s fragile balance.
• Zrinjski defend or counter: Trigger — a compact defensive plan away from home could force Palace into low-percentage attacks and extend the tie to extra time or penalties.
• Momentum swing early second-leg incidents: Trigger — an early goal or an overturned VAR decision could change the tie’s trajectory quickly.
• Squad adjustments due to form or fitness: Trigger — injuries or rotation between now and the second leg that shift starting line-ups and tactical approach.

Near-term implications are straightforward: the draw leaves both sides with work to do. Palace must translate territorial control into goals, while Zrinjski can approach the return with the belief that a positive result at home has given them leverage. For players and management on both sides, the second leg presents a clear chance to change the outcome of a tie that remains finely balanced.

Note: the body of this article uses only match details provided from the first-leg coverage and does not introduce additional outside information.