In a bright start to their UEFA Conference League campaign, Crystal Palace lifted their spirits by beating AZ Alkmaar 3‑1 in a home match that marked their first win of the season’s group stage. The game, played on Matchday 2 at Selhurst Park, gave Palaces supporters a welcome break after a goalless draw against AEK Larnaca.
Lacrosse and goals kicked off the action. Maxence Lacroix opened the scoring in the first half, after a penalty by Jean‑Philippe Mateta was saved by AZ keeper Rome‑Jayden Owusu‑Oduro. Lacroix’s shot was the first ever goal for Palace in a major European competition at Selhurst Park. Ismaila Sarr added a quiet second goal before the break, squashing any doubt that Palace could hold onto the lead.
Central midfielder Sven Mijnans gave AZ a quick equaliser, but Palace did not let it derail them. Sarr finished a slick Mateta cross to seal a triple, leaving AZ with just one win in three matches. The result lifts the Dutch side from a strong track record in the Conference League and gives Palace a boost before their upcoming derby against Brighton & Hove Albion.
After the match, Lacroix praised the fans and the team’s performance. “We’re really happy to get this win for everyone at Selhurst,” he told TNT Sports. “The loss to Larnaca was sad, but we promised to give a win to the fans, and that’s what we did. We’ve won three straight games, and we want to keep that momentum. The game against Brighton is coming up and we’ll bring that energy there.”
The win confirms Palace’s growing confidence in Europe and sets the stage for a challenging night in the Premier League. With another win on the cards, Crystal Palace fans can relish their team’s renewed goal‑scoring form and look forward to further success in both domestic and European contests.
Source: ianslive
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