Selhurst shock: Palace condemned to Conference League play-offs

The last thing any team battling through the relentless Premier League schedule or fighting for survival in Serie A needs is two extra matches crammed into an already overloaded February. Yet that is exactly the problem Crystal Palace and Fiorentina created for themselves on Thursday night, failing to convert match points for direct qualification to the Conference League last 16. Instead, both are heading for the February play-offs.

If Fiorentina's 1-0 defeat away to Lausanne can no longer be labelled a shock given La Viola's current struggles, Crystal Palace's 2-2 draw at home against KuPS was a self-inflicted headache of the highest order.

The Finnish side pulled off a minor miracle at Selhurst Park, earning a priceless point that - thanks to a superior goal difference - sent them through to the play-offs. Palace paid the price for underestimating their opponents, with Oliver Glasner fielding a heavily rotated XI, leaving out key figures such as Mateta, Guehi, Wharton and Henderson. Early signs suggested no danger: young striker Christantus Uche struck early and the London crowd went into the break content.

Then came the collapse. KuPS flipped the game on its head in the space of three minutes early in the second half, Parzyszek equalising before Sisse headed in from a corner to stun Palace. Glasner responded by throwing on his big guns, and after Antwi was sent off, Devine headed in an equaliser to spark a late siege. Corners, pressure, stoppage-time drama, but KuPS held firm to secure a draw that secured them European football in 2026. Palace, like Fiorentina, must now settle for the play-off route.

In Lausanne, Fiorentina missed their own golden chance. Victory would have sent them straight into the last 16, but Paolo Vanoli's rotated side never truly clicked. A late push from the Viola came too late, and defeat only deepened the sense of uncertainty surrounding the club.

Elsewhere, there were no surprises. Rayo Vallecano and Mainz did the job in style to seal direct qualification. Strasbourg, meanwhile, needed a late surge to shake off Icelandic minnows Breidablik (3-1) as the only unbeaten side in the Conference League group stage.

February just got a lot busier for some - and a lot calmer for others.