What else happened in the UEFA Conference League this week?

First-team

13 Mar 2026

It was goalless at Selhurst Park – but there was plenty of action elsewhere across the UEFA Conference League last night.

The two teams could not be separated in South London, as a resilient AEK Larnaca kept the Eagles at bay – 0-0 the score heading into the second leg in Cyprus.

As the UEFA Conference League Round of 16 got underway, let's find out what happened across the rest of the continent...

Fiorentina edge out Raków with late winner

In the meeting of the two teams Palace could potentially face in the quarter-finals, two-time finalists Fiorentina managed to squeeze past Polish side Raków Częstochowa in injury time, thanks to goals from Cher Ndour and Albert Gudmundsson.

Raków, who were unbeaten in the league phase, edged in front when Jonatan Braut Brunes scored on 60 minutes, before La Viola responded instantly – Ndour finding the net just two minutes later.

Roberto Piccoli then hit the bar with Fiorentina chasing a winner, and substitute Gudmundsson was there to convert from the spot in the 93rd minute following Michael Ameyaw's handball.

Wondergoal sees Shakhtar shine in Poznan

In terms of potential semi-final opponents, Shakhtar Donetsk claimed an impressive 3-1 away win in Poland against Lech Poznan.

After a tight first-half, Arda Turan's visitors broke the deadlock on 36 minutes when Kauã Elias played inMarlon Gomes with a back-heel, the latter finishing cooly.

Newertton doubled the lead just after half-time and, while Mikael Ishak pulled one back for the hosts on 70 minutes, Isaque netted an incredible overhead kick with five minutes remaining to give Shakhtar a comfortable cushion ahead of the return leg, which will be played in Krakow.

Alkmaar edge Sparta

Troy Parrott, was once again the hero of the hour as Dutch outfit AZ Alkmaar snatched a late win over Sparta Praha at home – in the meeting of Palace's other two potential semi-final opponents.

The Republic of Ireland international put Alkmaar ahead just before the half-hour mark, only for Matyáš Vojta to equalise shortly after the break for Sparta.

AZ responded by throwing everything at the visitors, with Sparta goalkeeper Jakub Surovčík denying all of Weslley Patati, Kees Smit, Sven Mijnans and Peer Koopmeiners – only for Parrott to pop up with an improvised volley in the 87th minute and give his side a 2-1 lead at the halfway mark of the tie.

AEK Athens rampant in Slovenia

The biggest winners of the night – albeit on the other side of the draw – were AEK Athens, who were totally dominant against Slovenian side NK Celje after January addition Barnabás Varga nodded the Greek side ahead just three minutes in.

They were 3-0 up by the half-time whistle, with Mauritania winger Aboubakary Koita doubling the lead on 33 minutes before Mijat Gaćinović volleyed into the top left corner just three minutes later.

Harold Moukoudi put the icing on the cake in the second-half, leaving Celje with it all to do next week.

Strasbourg make it six from seven

Also on the other side of the draw to Palace, the unbeaten French visitors made it an impressive six wins from seven in the Conference League, following an impressive win in Croatia.

Argentina forward Joaquin Panichelli fired Le Racing ahead on 73 seconds, marking his second Conference League goal of the campaign.

Panichelli should really have had more though, as he later clipped the woodwork and finished the first-half with five shots and a team‑high xG of 1.58.

Substitute Martial Godo doubled the visitors' advantage on 72 minutes, before Ante Majstorović grabbed one back for Rijeka four minutes later.

Full results from the Round of 16, first legs

Rijeka 1–2 Strasbourg
Lech Poznań 1-3 Shakhtar Donetsk
AZ 2-1 Sparta Praha
Samsunspor 1-3 Rayo Vallecano
Crystal Palace 0-0 AEK Larnaca
Sigma Olomouc 0-0 Mainz
Fiorentina 2-1 Raków Częstochowa
Celje 0-4 AEK Athens

What happens next?

We are only halfway in the round of 16, with the second legs to be played on Thursday 19th March.

Palace will make the trip out to Cyprus, with everything still to be play for. Kick-off next Thursday will be at 17:45 GMT (19:45 local time) at the AEK Arena in Larnaca.

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