Crystal Palace 2-1 Fiorentina: Eagles reach first-ever European semi-final despite defeat in Florence

Crystal Palace 2-1 Fiorentina: Eagles reach first-ever European semi-final despite defeat in Florence

Crystal Palace fell to a 2-1 defeat at Fiorentina in the UEFA Conference League quarter-final second leg on Thursday evening.

Despite the result, they have qualified for the semi-final, having won 4-2 on aggregate.

They started the game brightly and almost broke the deadlock in the seventh minute. The ball fell kindly to an unmarked Daniel Munoz inside the area, but the full-back failed to hit the target.

Munoz later set up the opening goal in the 17th minute, delivering a cross into the box where Ismaila Sarr was waiting to plant a header into the net.

Moments later, Sarr almost doubled Palace’s lead with a powerful strike, but was denied by goalkeeper David de Gea.

Fiorentina were awarded a penalty just before half-hour mark. Albert Gudmundsson converted the spot-kick, sending Dean Henderson the wrong way.

Henderson made a crucial save before half-time, denying Tottenham Hotspur loanee from giving the hosts the lead.