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Crystal Palace Reaches Conference League Semis After Fiorentina Win

4/17/2026

24 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Crystal Palace Football Club advanced to the Conference League semi-finals by beating Fiorentina 2-1 in the second leg, 4-2 on aggregate, and will face Shakhtar Donetsk.
Ismaila Sarr opened the scoring in the first half, his seventh European goal.
Palace held the lead despite injuries to Adam Wharton and Maxence Lacroix.
Albert Gudmundsson scored from a penalty for Fiorentina.
Cher Ndour scored a second-half goal that did not change the outcome.

History

Historical Context

The UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, established in 1960, gained prominence as a prestigious tournament for domestic cup winners. In 1991, Manchester United's victory marked a significant return for English clubs to European competitions after a five-year ban due to the Heysel Stadium disaster. Crystal Palace's recent advancement to the Conference League semi-finals reflects the evolving landscape of European football, enhancing their legacy.

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Story summary

Crystal Palace Football Club advanced to the Conference League semi-finals by beating Fiorentina 2-1 in the second leg, 4-2 on aggregate, and will face Shakhtar Donetsk.
Ismaila Sarr opened the scoring in the first half, his seventh European goal.
Palace held the lead despite injuries to Adam Wharton and Maxence Lacroix.
Albert Gudmundsson scored from a penalty for Fiorentina.
Cher Ndour scored a second-half goal that did not change the outcome.

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