Crystal Palace were left to reflect on a night of promise, experimentation, and frustration after a pulsating 2–2 draw with Finnish champions KuPS denied them direct qualification to the UEFA Conference League round of 16.
Despite controlling long spells of the match at Selhurst Park and rallying late against a 10-man opposition, Oliver Glasner’s heavily rotated side could not find the decisive goal needed to finish inside the top eight of the league-phase table. The result consigns Palace to a February play-off, where they will compete for a place in the last 16 rather than advancing automatically.
A Night of Rotation and Opportunity
With a congested fixture schedule looming — including a domestic clash against Leeds just 48 hours later — Glasner opted for wholesale changes, making 11 alterations to his starting lineup. The decision was as pragmatic as it was bold, prioritising player welfare and squad depth over continuity.
The reshuffled side featured a mix of academy prospects and fringe players, underlining the club’s commitment to youth development even on the European stage. Sixteen-year-old Joel Drakes-Thomas etched his name into Palace history as the club’s fourth-youngest player to appear in a competitive match, while fellow teenagers Dean Benamar and George King also made their senior debuts. Though inexperienced, the trio were surrounded by a bench stacked with senior professionals, ready to intervene if required.
Given Glasner’s admission that the group had barely trained together, Palace’s early cohesion and authority were striking.
Uche Sparks Palace Into Life
The home side wasted little time asserting control, taking the lead in the sixth minute through a moment of individual brilliance from Christantus Uche. A slick passing move down the right flank carved open the KuPS defence, allowing the Nigerian forward space to unleash a superb curling finish into the far corner with the outside of his right foot.
The goal immediately settled any nerves inside Selhurst Park and set the tone for a dominant first half. Palace dictated possession, pressed aggressively, and repeatedly found pockets of space in the final third. Although they failed to add to their advantage, the hosts created a series of half-chances and looked comfortable against opponents who were playing out of season.
KuPS, disciplined but subdued, offered little attacking threat before the interval and appeared content to limit the damage.
Second-Half Swing Turns the Match
The complexion of the contest changed dramatically after the restart. Palace emerged with the same intensity, but a lapse in midfield structure proved costly. Otto Ruoppi surged unchallenged through the centre of the pitch, exploiting a moment of disorganisation, before Saku Savolainen delivered a perfectly weighted pass for Piotr Parzyszek. The striker made no mistake, steering a precise shot into the corner to level the score.
The equaliser galvanised the Finnish champions, and just three minutes later they stunned the home crowd by taking the lead. From a corner, Palace failed to deal decisively with Clinton Antwi’s initial effort, allowing Ibrahim Cisse to react quickest and stab the ball into the net.
What had been a controlled European evening suddenly turned into a test of resolve.
Glasner Turns to Experience
Sensing the momentum shifting, Glasner responded decisively. Will Hughes, Marc Guehi, and Tyrick Mitchell were introduced just after the hour mark, reinforcing a midfield and defensive unit that had begun to show cracks. The changes brought stability, although Palace were briefly fortunate when Parzyszek saw a second goal ruled out for offside.
KuPS’ resistance suffered a major blow when Antwi was sent off for a reckless and forceful challenge on Hughes. Reduced to 10 men, the visitors were immediately placed under sustained pressure.
Late Response but No Winner
Palace capitalised quickly on their numerical advantage. Moments after the dismissal, Mitchell delivered an inviting cross to the far post, where Justin Devenny rose above his marker to nod home the equaliser in the 77th minute.
The goal reignited belief around Selhurst Park, prompting Glasner to introduce Jean-Philippe Mateta and Eddie Nketiah in search of a winner. The final stages were played almost entirely in the KuPS half, with Palace probing relentlessly, forcing blocks, corners, and desperate clearances.
Despite the late onslaught, the decisive goal proved elusive. KuPS defended with admirable resilience, seeing out the draw that ultimately reshaped Palace’s European path.
European Picture Takes Shape
Elsewhere in the competition, Mainz secured a 2–0 victory over Samsunspor to clinch automatic progression to the last 16. They are joined in March’s knockout phase by Raków, Sparta Prague, Rayo Vallecano, Shakhtar Donetsk, AEK Larnaca, AEK Athens, and Strasbourg, the latter benefiting from two dramatic goals deep into stoppage time to secure their place.
For Palace, the outcome means a seeded position in the play-off round, alongside Fiorentina, who sit bottom of Serie A despite being twice runners-up in this competition. Teams finishing between ninth and 24th will contest two-legged ties in February, with the draw scheduled for January 16 determining the exact matchups.
While disappointment lingered at Selhurst Park, Palace remain well placed to extend their European adventure. The performance, particularly from a rotated and youthful lineup, offered encouraging signs — even if the night ended without the reward of automatic progression.
