Crystal Palace Vs AZ Alkmaar, UEFA Conference League 2025-26
Ismaila Sarr's brace guided Crystal Palace to a 3-1 victory over AZ Alkmaar at Selhurst Park, improving their position in the UEFA Conference League.
Match Summary
- Maxence Lacroix opened the scoring for Palace in the 22nd minute.
- Jean-Philippe Mateta missed a penalty for Palace, saved by Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro.
- Sarr doubled the lead just before half-time, capitalizing on a set-piece.
- AZ Alkmaar scored a consolation goal in the 54th minute, thanks to a deflected attempt by captain Sven Mijnans.
Key Details
AZ Alkmaar remain without a win in their 11 trips to England. Oliver Glasner's team had lost unexpectedly 1-0 at home to Larnaca in their previous Conference League match but showed no such issues this time.
"Maxence Lacroix got on the end of Marc Guehi's cushioned header to fire a right-footed strike into the bottom-left corner for the 22nd-minute opener."
"The centre-back's fine finish was in stark contrast to Jean-Philippe Mateta's penalty five minutes earlier, which was saved by Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro."
"Sarr doubled Palace's lead on the stroke of half-time, pouncing from point-blank range after AZ failed to deal with a set-piece delivery."
"AZ pulled a goal back after an attempt by captain Sven Mijnans deflected to wrong-foot Dean Henderson in the 54th minute."
Author's Summary
Ismaila Sarr's two goals secured Crystal Palace's comeback to winning form in the Conference League, ending AZ Alkmaar's run without a victory in England.