First home match of English side, Crystal Palace, in a major European competition proper finished in disappointment with a surprise Uefa Europa Conference League 2025/26 League Phase lone goal loss to AEK Larnaca at Selhurst Park on Thursday 23 October, 2025.
AEK Larnaca, Cypriot side, found the back of the net in the 51st minute when Eagles defender Jaydee Canvot gave the ball straight to Marcus Rohden who teed up Riad Bajic to send a powerful finish.
Palace had been in charge up to that point and French striker Jean-Philippe Mateta hit the crossbar with a bouncing hooked volley from close range in the first half.
Substitute Eddie Nketiah should have equalized in a late rally from the hosts, however, completely missed a loose ball from five yards out.
The Eagles were unable to find their way through Larnaca’s solid defence as they suffered a first home defeat in all competitions since February.
AEK Larnaca had never beaten an English team in a competitive match before their game with Crystal Palace.
Result
Uefa Europa Conference League 2025/26 (League Phase) – Thursday 23 October, 2025 |
| AEK Athens 6-0 Aberdeen |
| AZ Alkmaar 1-0 Slovan Bratislava |
| BK Haecken 2-2 Rayo Vallecano |
| Breidablik 0-0 KuPS |
| Drita 1-1 Omonia Nicosia |
| KF Schendija 1-0 Shelbourne |
| Rapid Wien 0-3 Fiorentina |
| Shakhtar Donetsk 1-2 Legia Warszawa |
| Strasbourg 1-1 Jagiellonia Bialystok |
| CS Universitatea Craiova 1-1 FC Noah |
| Crystal Palace 0-1 AEK Lanarca |
| Hamrun Spartans 0-1 Lausanne |
| Lincoln Red Imps 2-1 Lech Poznan |
| Mainz 05 1-0 Zrinjski Mostar |
| SK Sigma Olomouc 1-1 Retow Czechtokowa |
| Samsunspor 3-0 Dynamo Kyiv |
| Shamrock Rovers 0-2 NK Celje |
Photo: AEK Larnaca players celebrate 1-0 win over Aston Villa
