The UEFA Europa Conference League knockout stage has arrived, and for Crystal Palace fans, the excitement in South London is palpable. After a tense and gritty 2-0 victory over Zrinjski Mostar at Selhurst Park, the Eagles have booked their place in the last 16, keeping their European adventure alive and kicking. Now, as anticipation builds for the draw in Nyon on Friday, February 27, 2026, Palace—along with a host of ambitious clubs—are eyeing a path to the grand final in Leipzig this May.
Crystal Palace’s journey to this point has been anything but straightforward. Entering the Conference League as one of the tournament favorites, the Eagles found themselves in a precarious play-off against the Bosnian side Zrinjski Mostar. The first leg ended in a 1-1 draw in Bosnia, leaving everything to play for in South London. The second leg, played on Thursday, February 26, was a nervy affair, with Palace dominating possession (a whopping 73%) and racking up a 6-0 shot count before finally breaking the deadlock.
The breakthrough came nine minutes before halftime. Adam Wharton, whose creative spark has been a key asset for Palace all season, whipped in a wicked free-kick from the left. Defender Maxence Lacroix, passed fit after injury concerns, rose at the back post and powered a header past Zrinjski keeper Goran Karacic. The relief around Selhurst Park was tangible. According to the match report, “Wharton’s wicked delivery from the left whizzed to Lacroix at the back post and he gave goalkeeper Goran Karacic no chance, nodding home from four yards.”
Despite their dominance, Palace couldn’t convert their superiority into further goals for much of the match. The home crowd grew restless as chance after chance went begging. Evann Guessand saw his early header deflected behind, Daichi Kamada’s golden opportunity ricocheted wide, and Ismaila Sarr missed a glorious one-on-one. Zrinjski, to their credit, rallied after halftime and even had the ball in the net, but the flag was up for offside. Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson, making his 100th appearance for the club, was largely untroubled but watched nervously as the minutes ticked by with only a slender lead.
It wasn’t until the third minute of injury time that Palace finally put the tie to bed. Evann Guessand, persistent all evening, beat the offside trap and fired a low shot past Karacic. The stadium erupted. As the report put it, “Guessand finally got the goal he deserved and the one to settle the nerves in the third minute of injury time. He beat the offside trap and his low shot was too hot to handle, sneaking into the bottom corner.” The final whistle brought a wave of celebration—and relief—as Palace secured a 3-1 aggregate victory and their spot in the last 16.
With that result, Crystal Palace join a competitive field for the knockout rounds. The top eight from the league phase—Strasbourg, Rakow Czestochowa, AEK Athens, Sparta Praha, Rayo Vallecano, Shakhtar Donetsk, Mainz, and AEK Larnaca—are joined by the play-off winners: Palace, Fiorentina, NK Celje, Rijeka, Samsunspor, AZ Alkmaar, Sigma Olomouc, and Lech Poznan. The draw, scheduled for 1pm GMT in Nyon and streamed live on UEFA’s website and app, will reveal Palace’s next hurdle: either German side Mainz or Cypriot cup holders AEK Larnaca.
For Palace, the prospect of facing AEK Larnaca carries extra intrigue. The Cypriot club stunned the Eagles in South London back in October, a result that still stings for many fans. Mainz, meanwhile, are making history of their own, having reached the spring phase of a UEFA competition for the first time. Both potential opponents present unique challenges, and Palace boss Oliver Glasner will be keenly aware of the tactical battles ahead.
Glasner himself has been a figure of both resolve and speculation. Despite rumors of his possible exit, the Austrian manager was all smiles as he led his team out for the play-off second leg, even stopping for photos with fans. His approach has brought resilience to a squad that, despite only two wins in their previous 16 matches before the play-off, has shown grit on the continental stage. The question now lingers—could Glasner deliver a perfect parting gift by guiding Palace to European glory?
This is only Crystal Palace’s second campaign in Europe, the first coming back in the 1998 UEFA Intertoto Cup. In the club’s storied 121-year history, European nights have been rare, but recent seasons have brought a taste of silverware: two trophies in the last 13 months. Now, with seven matches standing between them and a third piece of silverware, the Eagles are daring to dream.
The Conference League’s round of 16 will take place over two legs on March 11-12 and March 18-19, 2026. Quarter-finals are set for April 8-9 and 15-16, with semi-finals at the end of April and early May. The final, the ultimate prize, will be contested in Leipzig on May 27, 2026. For Palace fans, the road ahead is daunting but filled with possibility.
Elsewhere in the draw, other Premier League clubs are making their mark in Europe. Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest are still alive in the Europa League, with Villa set to face Celta Vigo or PAOK and Forest awaiting either Real Betis or Midtjylland. While the earliest two English sides could meet in Europe is the Europa League quarter-finals, Palace’s Conference League path is clear of domestic rivals for now.
The Conference League’s remaining field is a blend of debutants and seasoned European campaigners. Strasbourg, the French side, top the league phase and boast a youthful, energetic squad. AEK Athens and Sparta Praha bring rich continental histories, while Rayo Vallecano, Shakhtar Donetsk, and Rakow Czestochowa each have their own ambitions. From the Dutch “Cheese Farmers” AZ Alkmaar to the Croatian stalwarts Rijeka, the round of 16 is a showcase of football’s diversity and depth.
For Crystal Palace, the journey continues. The draw in Nyon will set the next chapter of their European adventure, and the Selhurst Park faithful will be watching with hope and anticipation. With momentum building and history within reach, the Eagles soar into the last 16, determined to make this spring a memorable one.