Crystal Palace couldn’t translate their superiority into a win as they settled for a draw against Zrinjski Mostar in the first leg of their Conference League play-off match.
The Eagles had over 70% possession and seemed on track for their first knockout victory in a major European tournament when Ismaila Sarr scored two minutes prior to halftime.
However, the hosts capitalized on a careless opening of the second half from Oliver Glasner’s team in the 55th minute, when Karlo Abramovic struck past Dean Henderson, leaving the matchup balanced before next week’s return leg at Selhurst Park.
Following a weekend without FA Cup matches that led to an eight-day break between games for Palace, manager Oliver Glasner announced a formidable lineup including Adam Wharton, Brennan Johnson, and Jorgen Strand Larsen.
The guests began strongly and might have taken the lead within seven minutes when Sarr struck a volley at Goran Karacic.
England international Wharton witnessed a shot fly by the post shortly afterward as the Premier League team maintained their energetic beginning.
Palace scored in the 12th minute when Sarr took advantage of a loose ball and found the net from six yards away.
The objective was swiftly dismissed as defender Chris Richards approached from an offside position to deliver the ball to the Senegal international at the far post.
Zrinjski countered the early pressure with an uncommon attempt of their own on the right, necessitating a desperate intervention from defender Daniel Munoz.
When African fans started reading the game like experts
UCL: Club Brugge score late equalizer against Atletico Madrid
The hosts once more posed a threat six minutes before halftime via Antonio Ivancic, who shot over after an excellent cushioned header from Mario Cuze.
However, it was Palace that achieved the breakthrough when a sharp first touch from new recruit Strand Larsen set the stage for Sarr to score his third goal in the Conference League.
Nonetheless, a careless pass from Wharton nine minutes into the second half allowed Zrinjski to equalize as Abramovic struck his shot into the far corner following a perfectly timed pass from Leo Mikic.
Wharton nearly made amends with his first goal for the club, hitting the crossbar in the last 20 minutes.
Glasner appeared clearly upset on the sideline as his team struggled to convert their superiority into a decisive goal, with an unmarked Richards heading off target from within the box after connecting with Wharton’s corner.
The Premier League team then held their breath in the 81st minute as the referee checked the pitchside monitor for a potential penalty regarding a handball by Munoz.
The outcome favored Palace, and both teams will enter next week’s return match at Selhurst Park on equal terms.
