Conference League: Crystal Palace Player Ratings as Eagles Prey on Larnaca to Land in Quarter-Finals

Ismaila Sarr’s brace sent Crystal Palace into the quarter-finals of the Conference League as the Premier League side got the better of AEK Larnaca in extra time, the hosts ending the game with nine men after red cards for Enric Saborit and Petros Ioannou.

Palace will now face two-time Conference League runners-up Fiorentina in the last eight as they look to extend their maiden European voyage even further.

Oliver Glasner started with the same 10 outfield players as in the first leg, the only change coming in goal; here’s how each of the Eagles fared on a damp night in Cyprus.

Walter Benitez (GK) – 7

Continuing to deputise due to Dean Henderson’s absence through illness, Benitez had a quiet night at the AEK Arena.

The Argentine stood no chance of saving Saborit’s equaliser and was otherwise barely tested, staying alert on the handful of occasions when he was called upon.

Chris Richards (RCB) – 6

Having had a straightforward first hour with little to deal with, Richards was beaten too easily in the air by Larnaca goalscorer Saborit.

Ultimately taken off for Jefferson Lerma, the American failed to cause any problems with his long throws either.

Maxence Lacroix (CB) – 7.5

Wearing the captain’s armband in place of Henderson, Lacroix made a vital recovering tackle to cut out an early Larnaca break and had a decent headed chance to put Palace 2-0 up just before half-time.

The Frenchman finished the game with a pass completion of 93% – attempting exactly 100 passes and won seven of his eight aerial duels.

Jaydee Canvot (LCB) – 7.5

Solid at the back, Canvot won four out of four aerial duels and two out of two ground duels, as well as making four clearances.

Making way for compatriot Jean-Philipe Mateta late on, the France U21 international did what he had to do and did it well.

Brennan Johnson (RWB) – 6

Johnson struggled to make an impact on the game from right wing-back, eventually being replaced by Daniel Munoz on the hour mark. The Welshman sent in eight crossed but only found a teammate with one of them.

Adam Wharton (CM) – 7.5

Involved in much of Palace’s patient attacking play, Wharton beat the Larnaca offside trap with the ball for Sarr’s opening goal and was accurate with three out of five crosses.

A deflection means the 22-year-old won’t be credited with an assist, but he can consider this a productive night’s work on the eve of Thomas Tuchel’s England squad announcement.

Daichi Kamada (CM) – 8

Kamada had been lively without posing any great danger until sending in the cross for Sarr’s winning goal.

It was only the second goal involvement of the season for the Japan international, who completed 90 of his 99 passes on the night.

Tyrick Mitchell (LWB) – 7.5

Largely untroubled throughout, Mitchell crucially got his body across to prevent Pere Pons from equalising in the first half.

The 26-year-old had the edge in one-on-one situations, winning five out of eight duels overall.

Ismaila Sarr (AM) – 9 **MAN OF THE MATCH**

Palace’s top scorer moved to 15 goals for the season in all competitions with strikes in the first half of normal time and extra time.

The Senegal international had enough chances to grab a hat-trick, twice hitting the woodwork, but he’ll doubtless be delighted with his decisive two-goal return.

Evann Guessand (AM) – 6

Guessand had four touches in the Larnaca box and got one shot off, but that was blocked and the Aston Villa loanee posed little threat before being substituted for Yeremy Pino.

Jorgen Strand Larsen (ST) – 6.5

Now with just one goal in his last eight appearances, Strand Larsen only managed two shots but almost put Palace out of sight with a header against the post in extra time.

Substitutes

Daniel Munoz (for Brennan Johnson, 60’) – 7.5

Munoz showed once again why he’s been Palace’s standout performer in 2025/26, completing 42 passes out of 46 and winning four out of five aerial duels.

Jefferson Lerma (for Chris Richards, 76’) – 6.5

Deployed at centre-back, Lerma had little to do defensively and was accurate with 93% of his passes.

Yeremy Pino (for Evan Guessand, 76’) – 7

Dynamic and creative, Pino created a number of promising openings and dragged a shot just wide right at the death.

Jean-Philippe Mateta (for Jaydee Canvot, 83’) – 6.5

Goalless since New Year’s Day, Mateta nearly ended his drought when following up from Strand Larsen’s header off the post but couldn’t quite force the ball over the line.

Will Hughes (for Adam Wharton, 119’) – N/A (insufficient minutes played)