Crystal Palace F.C. vs AEK Larnaca Stats: Complete Match Analysis

The Crystal Palace F.C. vs AEK Larnaca Stats provide an interesting picture of how the two teams matched up during their UEFA Conference League meetings in the 2025/26 season. The clubs met several times in the competition, including a league-stage encounter at Selhurst Park and a two-legged Round of 16 tie. Although Crystal Palace generally controlled possession and created considerably more attacking opportunities, AEK Larnaca demonstrated that they could be extremely difficult to break down.

Their meetings produced contrasting results. AEK Larnaca famously defeated Crystal Palace 1–0 at Selhurst Park in October 2025, while the first leg of the Round of 16 ended 0–0. Palace eventually turned the tie around in the second leg, winning 2–1 after extra time in Larnaca and progressing 2–1 on aggregate.

Crystal Palace F.C. vs AEK Larnaca Head-to-Head

The recent head-to-head record shows that these matches have been much more competitive than the clubs’ relative profiles might suggest.

Their first notable meeting in the 2025/26 Conference League came at Selhurst Park on 23 October 2025. Crystal Palace dominated possession but struggled to convert that control into goals. AEK Larnaca took advantage when Riad Bajić scored in the 51st minute, securing a 1–0 victory for the Cypriot side.

The teams then met again in the Round of 16. Palace hosted the first leg on 12 March 2026, but the match finished 0–0. Palace had 71.2% possession, 13 shots and four shots on target, while AEK Larnaca managed just two shots and none on target.

The second leg was eventually decided in extra time, with Crystal Palace winning 2–1.

Crystal Palace vs AEK Larnaca Stats List

Here are some of the most important statistics from their recent meetings:

• October 2025: Crystal Palace 0–1 AEK Larnaca
• March 2026, first leg: Crystal Palace 0–0 AEK Larnaca
• March 2026, second leg: AEK Larnaca 1–2 Crystal Palace after extra time
• Round of 16 aggregate: Crystal Palace won 2–1
• Highest possession in the first leg: Crystal Palace, 71.2%
• Second-leg possession: Crystal Palace, approximately 70%
• Second-leg shots: Crystal Palace 28, AEK Larnaca 6
• Second-leg shots on target: Crystal Palace 7, AEK Larnaca 3
• Second-leg corners: Crystal Palace 10, AEK Larnaca 1
• Second-leg passes: Crystal Palace 694, AEK Larnaca 299

Crystal Palace’s Possession Advantage

One of the clearest themes in the Crystal Palace F.C. vs AEK Larnaca stats is Palace’s ability to dominate possession.

In the October meeting, Palace had 67% possession compared with AEK Larnaca’s 33%. Despite this advantage, Palace failed to score and AEK Larnaca secured a famous away victory.

The first leg of the Round of 16 followed a similar pattern. Palace controlled 71.2% of possession and completed 527 accurate passes, compared with 154 for AEK Larnaca. Palace also had an 87.1% passing accuracy, while AEK Larnaca recorded 62.6%.

These figures demonstrate Palace’s ability to control the tempo. However, they also show that possession alone did not guarantee a positive result.

Shooting and Attacking Statistics

The difference in attacking output became particularly obvious during the Round of 16.

In the first leg, Crystal Palace registered 13 shots, including four on target. AEK Larnaca managed only two shots and failed to put either attempt on target. Palace also had six corners compared with three for the visitors.

The second leg was even more one-sided statistically. Palace produced 28 total shots, seven of which were on target. AEK Larnaca recorded six shots and three on target. Palace also hit the woodwork three times.

This illustrates how Palace steadily increased the attacking pressure as the tie progressed.

The Decisive Second Leg

The second leg at the AEK Arena was ultimately the most important match when examining the overall rivalry.

Crystal Palace won 2–1 after extra time, with Ismaïla Sarr scoring twice. He opened the scoring early and then scored the decisive extra-time goal. AEK Larnaca equalised through Enric Saborit, but the hosts subsequently suffered two red cards, leaving them with nine players by the end of the match.

UEFA’s official match report records Palace with 65% possession over the full match, 28 attempts and six shots on target, compared with AEK Larnaca’s six attempts and three on target. Palace also won the corner battle 10–1.

Passing and Build-Up Play

Passing statistics further underline the difference in approach between the teams.

In the second leg, Crystal Palace completed 694 total passes compared with 299 by AEK Larnaca. Palace also recorded 188 successful final-third passes, while AEK Larnaca had 45. The English side attempted 41 crosses, more than three times AEK’s total of 13.

This suggests that Palace were consistently attempting to advance the ball into dangerous areas, while AEK Larnaca were more focused on defending and taking opportunities when possession turned over.

Defensive Statistics

AEK Larnaca’s defensive resilience was one of the major reasons the matches remained close.

The 0–0 first leg is a good example. Despite Palace having 71.2% possession and four shots on target, AEK Larnaca kept a clean sheet. The Cypriot side made 30 clearances, compared with 14 by Palace.

In the second leg, Palace’s attacking pressure eventually overwhelmed AEK. Palace recorded 18 tackles and 25 clearances from AEK, while AEK made 14 tackles and 51 clearances. The 51 clearances highlight just how much defensive pressure the home side faced.

Ismaïla Sarr’s Impact

Ismaïla Sarr was a key player in the decisive match. His two goals in the second leg ultimately sent Crystal Palace through to the quarter-finals.

His performance was particularly important because Palace had previously struggled to turn their territorial dominance into goals against AEK Larnaca. Sarr provided the finishing quality that had been missing during the goalless first leg.

His second goal, scored in extra time, settled the tie and allowed Palace to progress.

What the Stats Tell Us

Overall, the Crystal Palace F.C. vs AEK Larnaca stats show a clear contrast in playing styles. Crystal Palace generally had more possession, more passes, more attacking territory, more shots and more corners.

AEK Larnaca, however, proved highly effective at defending deep and frustrating Palace. Their 1–0 victory at Selhurst Park remains the clearest example of how they could absorb pressure and punish an error.

The Round of 16 demonstrated the same pattern in a different way. Palace dominated the first leg statistically but could not score. In the return match, they finally converted their superior attacking numbers into goals and won the tie.

Conclusion

The recent Crystal Palace F.C. vs AEK Larnaca stats tell the story of a fascinating European matchup. Palace were usually the more dominant side in terms of possession, passing, shots and territory, while AEK Larnaca relied heavily on defensive organisation and counterattacking opportunities.

The most important result came in March 2026, when Palace won 2–1 after extra time in Larnaca to progress 2–1 on aggregate. The statistics from that match—28 shots to six, 10 corners to one and 70% possession—illustrate Palace’s attacking superiority.

For anyone analyzing this fixture, the key lesson is that possession and shot volume do not always translate into goals. AEK Larnaca repeatedly demonstrated their ability to frustrate Palace, but Crystal Palace eventually found the breakthrough when the tie mattered most.