Crystal Palace FC's first-ever major European adventure is underway, as we battle to win the UEFA Conference League. Find out how you can join us on our journey.

European Tour

## Our Senegalese Sarr

> Ismaïla Sarr became the club’s third signing of the 2024/25 summer transfer window after joining on a five-year deal from Olympique de Marseille.

The 26-year-old attacker possesses plenty of experience of English football, having spent four years at Watford – recording 34 goals and 22 assists in 131 games – prior to joining Marseille, whom he helped reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League last season.

Sarr's career began in French football with Metz, before moving to Rennes and leading the club into Europe, as well as winning their first Coupe de France in almost half a century.

At international level, he has been a mainstay of the Senegal national side, earning 64 caps, scoring 13 goals and winning the Africa Cup of Nations in 2021.

His career has also been defined by his eye for the spectacular, having won Goal of the Season awards in both the Football League and the Europa League.

Sarr was ever-present in every Premier League matchday squad in his first season at the club, playing in all 38 games, while also featuring in a further nine cup games. He scored 11 goals across all competitions, with eight additional assists - including a stunning effort against rivals Brighton & Hove Albion and a brace against Aston Villa in the FA Cup semi-final.

2022/23, Watford (v West Bromwich Albion)

EFL Goal of the Season

Watford, 2020/21

Player of the Season

Players' Player of the Season

2018/19, Rennes (v Jablonec)

UEFA Europa League Goal of the Season

December 2024

Crystal Palace Player of the Month

Sarr

Instagram

Appearances

Goals

Sarr Previews Burnley

All Angles of Ismaïla Sarr's Goal v Brighton

The Full 90: Brighton v Crystal Palace | Palace TV+

Extended Highlights: Brighton 0-1 Crystal Palace | Palace TV +

Match Action: Brighton 0-1 Crystal Palace

Strand Larsen presents Sarr with Premier League Man of the Match

Ismaïla Sarr Returns From AFCON

Pre-match Press Conference | RC Strasbourg (A)

Extended Highlights: Crystal Palace 3-1 AZ Alkmaar | Palace TV+

The Full 90: Crystal Palace v AZ Alkmaar | Palace TV+

Sarr wins October's Goal of the Month

Match Highlights: Crystal Palace 3-1 AZ Alkmaar

Goal of the month contenders | October 2025

Extended Highlights: Liverpool 0-3 Crystal Palace | Palace TV+

Match Action: Liverpool 0-3 Crystal Palace

Goals Inside Box

Goals Outside Box

Right Foot

Left Foot

Shots

Shots on target

Hit woodwork

Penalties taken

Penalties scored

Touches

Touches in opposition box

Aerial duels

Aerial duels won

Interceptions

Blocks

Recoveries

Tackles won

Duels won

Clearances

Minutes

Attempted passes

Successful passes

Chances created

Crosses

Yellow cards

Red cards

Fouls won

Fouls Conceded

Season

Games

The Eagles will go into next week’s second leg knowing a win will send them through, after Ismaïla Sarr’s fine finish was cancelled out by Karlo Abramovic’s second-half strike in Bosnia.

### Summary:

- Manager Oliver Glasner makes three changes as the Eagles return to European action.
- 1: Palace kick off looking to establish an aggregate lead
- 7: Sarr shoots from a tight angle but his effort is well saved
- 10: Palace have the ball in the net through Sarr, after Richards is flagged offside
- 22: Muñoz makes a vital clearance after Zrinjski break down the right wing
- 39: Ivančić should test Henderson from only a few yards out, but misses the target from close range
- 42; Muñoz’s powerful half-volley inside the box is blocked by Mamic following Johnson cross
- 44 – GOAL: Sarr scores a crisp low finish from Strand Larsen’s lay-off on the edge of the area into the bottom-right corner
- **HALF-TIME: Zrinjski 0-1 Palace**
- 55 – GOAL: Abramovic makes the most of space in the penalty area to fire a low drive into the corner of Henderson’s goal
- 64: Pino and Canvot are introduced to proceedings from the bench
- 69: Muñoz’s tame effort is easily saved
- 71: Wharton smashes the crossbar after excellent play from Sosa and Strand Larsen
- 74: Pino forces a good save at the near post
- **FULL-TIME: Zrinjski 1-1 Palace**

The Eagles made the early running in Mostar amidst a partisan European atmosphere despite the unusual surrounding of a stadium undergoing significant redevelopment.

Glasner gave European Palace debuts to Brennan Johnson and Jørgen Strand Larsen, but it was the other member of the forward line, Ismaïla Sarr, who had the first sighting of goal.

The Senegal international managed to get his shot on target after beating Duje Dujmovic to the ball, but Goran Karačić kept his effort out.

Sarr then had the ball in the net as the Eagles looked to make a fast start. With the hosts struggling to clear a loose ball, Sarr slotted home from close range.

However, Palace's joy was cut short by the immediate offside flag, Chris Richards being in an offside position during the first phase of play.

Far from just sitting behind the ball, Zrinjski did show their own attacking intent.

Mario Cuze nearly nicked in after Dean Henderson’s pass to Maxence Lacroix, but Palace managed to recover, before Daniel Muñoz made a vital interception after a low cross from the right wing.

Despite forcing several set-pieces, clear cut chances were few and far between for Palace in the first-half.

At the other end, Zrinjski had a huge chance when the ball dropped to Antonio Ivančić after a Chris Richards header, only for him to miss the target from a few yards out.

And Palace made the hosts pay a few moments later. Strand Larsen produced a clever lay-off inside the box after Sosa’s cross, with Sarr bending the ball into the corner for his third European goal of the season.

The one moment of real quality in a tense first 45 minutes ensured the Eagles had a half-time lead.

Palace would suffer a blow less than ten minutes after the interval when Leo Mikic drove through the midfield and towards the box.

The Zrinjski forward had the presence of mind to pick out Karlo Abramovic, who fired a low effort into the far corner, Henderson with no chance.

The goal clearly meant a huge amount to the hosts, most of the Mostar bench joining in the celebrations, and left Palace with work to do.

Glasner responded by bringing on Yéremy Pino, while Jaydee Canvot replaced Maxence Lacroix who appeared to be struggling with injury.

Palace began to push the hosts back with some improved passing and more intense pressing. But that also left space at the back, with Igor Savić charging through in the 66th minute, only to fail to test Henderson.

Adam Wharton then came as close to a goal as at any point during his Palace career, with a fine strike after a lay-off from Strand Larsen. Karačić was beaten, but the crossbar intervened.

Pino then stung Karačić’s gloves with a low shot only moments later as the visitors started to dominate.

Substitute Matej Šakota nearly made a dramatic introduction for the hosts, twisting and turning in the area before getting a low drive on target, only for Henderson to react smartly at his near post.

But in the aftermath, as Henderson moved to regain control of the ball, it touched off of the arm of Muñoz. Originally not spotted by the official, a VAR review asked the referee to check, but no penalty was awarded.

There weren’t many chances in the final ten minutes as both teams struggled to create. Pino’s free-kick was nearly flicked in by Sarr at the near post, but Karačić was alert.

In the end Palace had to settle for a 1-1 draw, leaving the tie evenly poised ahead of the rematch in South London.

The Eagles return to action on Sunday when Wolves visit Selhurst Park in the Premier League (14:00 GMT), with the return leg of this tie taking place next Thursday (20:00 GMT).

**Palace:** Henderson (GK), Richards, Lacroix (Canvot, 64), Riad (Mitchell, 87), Muñoz, Wharton, Kamada, Sosa, Sarr, Strand Larsen (Guessand, 87), Johnson (Pino, 64).

**Subs:** Benítez (GK), Matthews (GK), Clyne, Cardines, Hughes, Rodney, Devenny.

**Zrinjski Mostar:** Karačić (GK), Vranjkovic, Barisic, Dujmovic, Mamic; Djurasek, Savic, Abramovic (Memija, 76), Ivancic (Lagumdzija, 89), Mikic (Sakota, 76), Cuze (Juric, 95).

**Subs:** Bogdan (GK), Sajko (GK), Karacic, Arapovic, Nalic, Surdanovic, Cavar, Majic.

Crystal Palace’s play-off round tie in the UEFA Conference League is finely poised after a 1-1 first leg draw with Zrinjski Mostar.

Report: Palace return to Europe with first leg draw in Mostar

Zrinjski Mostar v Crystal Palace (2026-02-19)

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Zrinjski Mostar

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Richards reflects on Mostar

The Eagles dominated possession and created some presentable openings in Mostar, but led by just a goal to nil at half-time, when Ismaïla Sarr struck crisply from Jørgen Strand Larsen’s clever lay-off.

Yet mistakes early in the second-half allowed Karlo Abramovic to smash the hosts level at a boisterous Bijeli Brijeg Stadium, and try as they might to reestablish their lead, Palace were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw to take back to Selhurst Park next week.

Richards told Palace TV: “I think on paper, when you look at the quality of the teams, it seems pretty straightforward. But coming here, in a hostile environment, it's a tough pitch to play on… we’re a little bit disappointed with the result, but also a 1-1 is also something you can take into the next leg with a lot of optimism.

“I think it's mixed emotions, but I think in the grand scheme of things, we have to take care of business at home now.

“There’s also a reason they're in the Conference League. They're a good team. They defended well.

“Again, we didn't make the most of our chances and I think defensively we made a few mistakes.

“But regardless, I think it's a performance that we can work on and we can continue with. But a bit frustrating that we kind of lacked a little bit in both areas this evening.”

Thank you for coming out. It wasn't an easy journey. I heard and saw on Twitter that it took a lot to get here, so we really appreciate everybody

Palace were backed by another outstanding away support in Europe, with supporters making the most of their trip to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Two crucial home games are to follow in the next week, and Richards noted: “We definitely saw and heard everybody.

“Again, thank you for coming out. It wasn't an easy journey. I heard and saw on Twitter that it took a lot to get here, so we really appreciate everybody.

“We’re a club, but we're also a family, so we need everybody contributing when it comes to games. And again, we very much feel y'all's momentum and y'all's spirit. Hopefully we can continue to have that.”

A 1-1 draw away to Zrinjski Mostar left Chris Richards and Crystal Palace frustrated they could not make more of their chances – but with a platform to build upon in the second leg of their UEFA Conference League play-off round.

Richards: We now have to take care of business at home

Crystal Palace were held to a 1-1 draw by Zrinjski Mostar at the Bijeli Brijeg Stadium on Thursday evening; vote for your Player of the Match below.

Vote for your Player of the Match from first-leg draw in Mostar

Match reports

Match reports

Report: Palace return to Europe with first leg draw in Mostar

Richards: We now have to take care of business at home

Vote for your Player of the Match from first-leg draw in Mostar

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7Ismaïla
Sarr

Match reports

Match reports

Report: Palace return to Europe with first leg draw in Mostar

Richards: We now have to take care of business at home

Vote for your Player of the Match from first-leg draw in Mostar

Shop Palace Shirts

7IsmaïlaSarr

7Ismaïla
Sarr