Catch up with all the action from Zrinjski Mostar vs Crystal Palace in the Europa Conference League
Crystal Palace were held to a 1-1 draw by Zrinjski Mostar in Bosnia, leaving their Europa Conference League tie in the balance ahead of the second leg at Selhurst Park.
The visitors began brightly at Stadion Bijeli Brijeg, controlling possession and probing down the flanks. Ismaila Sarr looked the most threatening outlet in the opening exchanges, forcing an early save before seeing a goal ruled out for offside after Palace worked a long free-kick into the box.
Despite Palace’s territorial dominance, clear chances were frustratingly limited. Adam Wharton and Daichi Kamada attempted to thread passes through a compact Zrinjski defence, but the hosts remained organised and disciplined.
As the half wore on, the Bosnian side grew in confidence and created the better openings. Ivanic fired over from a central position after being picked out inside the area, a significant opportunity that was wasted by the home side.
Palace eventually made their pressure count two minutes before the break. Tyrick Sosa found Jorgen Strand Larsen on the edge of the area and the striker, making his European debut, showed composure to lay the ball into Sarr’s path.
The winger guided a precise finish into the bottom-right corner to give Oliver Glasner’s side a 1-0 lead at half-time.
The second half began with Palace looking to extend their advantage. Strand Larsen fired wide after being found by Daniel Munoz, and Wharton struck the crossbar with a powerful effort from the edge of the box.
However, their lead was wiped out in the 55th minute by a swift counter-attack. Leo Mikic surged through midfield and released Karlo Abramovic into space on the right.
The winger drove into the area and drilled a low shot across goal beyond Dean Henderson to level the match at 1-1, swinging momentum firmly in Zrinjski’s favour.
Palace struggled to regain their earlier fluency. Abramovic threatened again from close range, while Tomislav Cuze squandered a clear one-on-one opportunity after breaking through a static defensive line, dragging his shot wide of the near post. The hosts sensed their opponents’ vulnerability and pressed for a second goal.
A lengthy VAR review then added late tension. As Kerim Memija closed down Henderson, the ball appeared to strike Munoz’s hand inside the area. Referee Manfredas Lukjancukas consulted the pitchside monitor but ultimately upheld his original decision, denying Zrinjski a penalty and offering Palace a reprieve.
Glasner turned to his bench in search of renewed impetus, introducing Yeremi Pino and Evann Guessand, yet Palace found it difficult to break down the Zrinjski defence.
Crosses from Sosa and Kamada were either overhit or comfortably dealt with by goalkeeper Karacic, while Chris Richards wasted a free header from a corner in the closing stages.
Zrinjski continued to threaten sporadically, with Matej Sakota testing Henderson at his near post and substitute Dan Lagumdzija adding fresh energy late on.
It leaves the hosts with a chance heading back to London, but they will be facing a hostile Selhurst Park atmosphere.
