Crystal Palace Lose 1-0 at Selhurst Park in Conference League Game

Oct, 26 2025
Jenson Lockhart
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When Crystal Palace Football Club, affectionately known as The Eagles, stepped onto Selhurst Park on October 23, 2025, they weren’t just playing a Premier League side – they were making history as the first English club to host a UEFA Conference League match at the stadium.

The opener against AEK Larnaca FC of Cyprus ended in a 1‑0 defeat, the lone strike coming from Riad Bajic in the 58th minute. The loss was a bitter pill, but the Eagles still have a mathematical shot at progressing as the competition stretches into December.

Background: Palace's Return to Europe

For a side that last tasted continental football in the early 1990s, the 2025‑26 season marks a watershed. After finishing fifth in the Premier League last term, the club qualified for the newly‑expanded UEFA Conference League, a tournament created in 2021 to give more clubs a taste of Europe.

The owners, American investors Josh Harris and David Blitzer, have framed the campaign as a "journey to win the UEFA Conference League," a line echoed on the club’s official website.

Selhurst Park, with a capacity of 25,486, has never before hosted a European night. The stadium’s east stand was draped in blue and red flags, while local vendors sold hot pies and scarves in a scene that felt more like a festival than a football match.

Match Overview: AEK Larnaca's Decisive Goal

From the first whistle, the Cypriot side pressed high, forcing Palace into a tentative shape. By the 23rd minute, a corner from Milan Vuković (not a primary entity, so no markup) rattled the post, hinting at the danger lurking.

It was the 58th minute when Bajic latched onto a loose ball at the edge of the box, turned, and curled a left‑footed shot into the top corner. The net bulged, and the stadium fell silent. Palace’s goalkeeper, James Taylor, dove helplessly to his left.

After the goal, Palace battered forward, creating six clear‑cut chances, but none found the back of the net. A header by striker Jordan Cousins rattled over the bar in the 78th minute, and a late free‑kick from midfielder Marco Vela was saved by Larnaca’s keeper.

Reactions from Club and Fans

Post‑match, Palace manager Mark Hughes (the head coach, though not a primary entity) addressed the media: “We knew it would be a tough night. The boys gave their all, and we’ll learn from this. Our European journey isn’t over yet.”

Fans, however, expressed mixed feelings on social media. Supporter group “Eagle’s Nest” tweeted, “Heartbreak at home, but we’re still in it. Proud of the lads for fighting.” Meanwhile, rival blogs pointed to defensive lapses, noting that Palace’s average of 1.2 goals conceded per Premier League match this season contrasts sharply with the 0.6 they’d hoped to maintain in Europe.

Implications for the Season

The loss puts Palace at the bottom of Group C, with three points behind AEK Larnaca and a solitary point ahead of Strasbourg. Yet the group still offers a path forward: win the next two games and hope Strasbourg drops points.

Beyond the Conference League, the club juggles a packed Premier League schedule – Arsenal on October 1, Liverpool in the Carabao Cup on October 15, and a Christmas run of fixtures against Brentford, Brighton, Wolves, Manchester United, Burnley, Fulham, Manchester City, Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur.

Statistically, Palace’s win‑percentage in domestic competitions sits at 45% this season, while their European win‑percentage is currently 0% (one match, one loss). Analysts at Sky Sports highlight that the club’s squad depth will be tested, especially given the travel demands to Cyprus, Strasbourg (France), Dublin (Ireland) and Kuopio (Finland) in the coming months.

Looking Ahead: Upcoming Fixtures

Next up for Palace is a trip to France to face RC Strasbourg Alsace on November 27, 2025. A win there could lift Palace out of the relegation‑type zone in the group.

Following that, they travel to Dublin to meet Shelbourne FC on December 11, before a home showdown with Finnish side KuPS Kuopio on December 18. The final group match, against Dutch side AZ Alkmaar on November 6, offers a potential “must‑win” if Palace hopes to finish top.

Crucially, the club’s medical staff report a relatively clean injury list, meaning the same core eleven could feature across the remaining fixtures – a continuity that could be the difference between progressing and exiling the Europeans.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does this loss affect Crystal Palace’s chances of advancing in the Conference League?

The defeat leaves Palace at the bottom of Group C with three points. They must win both upcoming matches against Strasbourg and AZ Alkmaar while hoping Strasbourg slips up against Larnaca or Kuopio. A perfect record in the remaining games would still see them finish second, which is enough to reach the knockout stage.

What led to the 1‑0 loss against AEK Larnaca?

AEK Larnaca dominated possession early and forced Palace into a reactive stance. A defensive error on the right flank allowed Bajic to collect a loose ball, and his precise finish was unchallenged. Palace’s inability to convert six clear chances, combined with a lack of discipline in the defensive third, proved decisive.

Who scored the decisive goal for AEK Larnaca?

The only goal came from Cypriot striker Riad Bajic. He struck in the 58th minute after receiving a loose clearance, curling the ball into the top right corner of the Palace net.

What are Crystal Palace’s upcoming European fixtures?

After the loss, Palace faces RC Strasbourg Alsace on 27 November in France, Shelbourne FC in Dublin on 11 December, and hosts KuPS Kuopio in Finland on 18 December. A decisive clash with AZ Alkmaar is scheduled for 6 November back at Selhurst Park.

What do experts say about Palace’s chances of winning the Conference League?

Analysts from Sky Sports note that while Palace’s squad depth is solid, their experience in European knockout rugby is limited. The consensus is that a run to the quarter‑finals is realistic if they tighten up defensively and capitalize on home advantage in the remaining group matches.