Zrinjski Vs Crystal Palace: 1-1 Draw Leaves Palace's European tie evenly poised and raises immediate questions for manager Glasner

The Zrinjski Vs Crystal Palace first leg matters because a Premier League side that controlled more than 70% possession failed to convert dominance into a clear advantage, leaving the knockout tie level and the second leg at Selhurst Park on 26 February (20: 00 GMT) as the decisive moment. Ismaila Sarr’s opener and Karlo Abramovic’s reply mean Palace’s European progression is no closer to being settled, and squad form complicates the picture.

Zrinjski Vs Crystal Palace — who feels the impact first

Here’s the part that matters: Palace walked away from Mostar with a draw that does not reflect their control on the ball. That control — more than 70% possession — usually pressures opponents and produces chances, yet Palace recorded limited clear-cut opportunities aside from Sarr’s goal and Adam Wharton’s late crossbar. The immediate impact falls on Crystal Palace’s ability to reverse a difficult run; the side has won one of their last 15 matches across all competitions, a stat that tightens scrutiny on selection and tactics ahead of the return leg.

• Match result: 1-1 draw, leaving the tie evenly poised for the second leg at Selhurst Park (26 February, 20: 00 GMT).
• Scoring sequence: Ismaila Sarr put Palace ahead just before half-time; Karlo Abramovic levelled early in the second half.
• Control vs. conversion: Palace kept more than 70% possession but failed to turn that dominance into a winning position.
• Pressure point: Palace’s recent form (one win in 15 games) increases the importance of delivering at home in the return match.

Match context and key moments

Palace were rewarded just before half-time when a crisp first touch from Jorgen Strand Larsen created the chance that Ismaila Sarr curled home in the 43rd minute. The visitors had an earlier Sarr effort ruled out for offside after a cross from an offside position.

Ten minutes into the second half Zrinjski capitalised on a sloppy pass as Adam Wharton’s turnover led to Karlo Abramovic drilling a low finish past Dean Henderson. Palace pushed late and Wharton nearly atoned, but his long-range attempt hit the crossbar in the final 20 minutes.

There was a tense moment for Crystal Palace toward the end when an alleged handball prompted a VAR check for a potential penalty; the referee reviewed the incident and the decision stood against awarding a spot-kick, allowing Palace to avoid further damage.

Manager Oliver Glasner named a strong side following a break in fixtures, and the team featured players who offered attacking options, though the match ultimately exposed a gap between possession and decisive finishing.

What’s easy to miss is how small margins shaped the night: a disallowed early goal, a sloppy pass that led to the equaliser, and a VAR check that could so easily have swung the tie the other way. Those moments now set the tone for the return leg.

The real question now is whether Palace can translate possession into the kind of clear chances that force a different result at Selhurst Park. If the second leg follows the pattern of this first meeting, tight margins and discipline in midfield will determine who advances.

Key implications and signals to follow for the return leg:

• If Palace maintain high possession but fail to increase shot-quality, the tie will stay fragile.
• Should Adam Wharton avoid turnovers in midfield, Palace’s control is more likely to produce a clean sheet or additional goals.
• A second-leg penalty decision or a similar VAR intervention would again be a decisive swing; officials’ interpretations in the first match matter going forward.
• Crystal Palace’s recent string of results will put pressure on selection and urgency at Selhurst Park.

Micro timeline: Sarr struck just before half-time to give Palace a narrow lead; Abramovic equalised early in the second half after a Palace error; late VAR check for a possible handball did not result in a penalty. The second leg at Selhurst Park remains the clear next step and will determine which side progresses.

Expect the return leg to be approached as a reset: Palace must turn possession into decisive opportunities, while Zrinjski will take confidence from exposing vulnerabilities and scoring away. The match at Selhurst Park will answer whether the draw was a hiccup for a dominant side or a genuine shift in momentum for the tie.