Europa

Sporting Club scored two extra-time goals to end Glasgow City’s Europa Cup run in Lisbon.

Nicole Kozlova had headed the visitors in front late in the first half to establish a 2-1 aggregate lead.

However, Telma Encarnacao’s smart finish took the game to an additional half hour and the home striker grabbed another, before Carla Armengol set Sporting up for a quarter-final against Hammarby or Ajax.

The Portuguese side started and finished strongly, with City goalkeeper Lee Gibson busy in the opening minutes.

Having been under the cosh, the SWPL leaders began to find some rhythm and stunned their hosts by taking the lead four minutes before the break.

A deep free-kick from Lisa Evans was helped on by Kimberley Smit, with Kozlova ghosting in to finish from close range.

The Ukraine international threatened again before the break and City opened the second half in promising fashion, with two efforts from Linda Motlhalo.

But Sporting then took a grip on the game again as they pressed for an equaliser.

City’s resistance was broken by a straight ball over the top as Telma swivelled to beat Gibson with a first-time strike.

The Portuguese forward, who also scored in the first leg, then hit the post with fierce free-kick on 87 minutes, with the rebound smashed inches wide.

Claudia Neto also went close as City clung on desperately.

An Ashley Barron header looped over as Sporting carried that attacking momentum into extra-time and it was no surprise when Telma stole between the visiting centre-halves to nod home.

Shortly after the change of ends, Armengol settled the contest with a clipped finish over Gibson’s reach.

Sarr has four goals in his past three appearances and is already close to matching his tally from last season – 12 goals across all competitions.

Palace signed Sarr from Marseille for a fee of about £12.5m in 2024 in an attempt to replace winger Michael Olise, who had joined Bayern Munich that summer.

That is a piece of business that now looks incredibly shrewd, particularly with Eze also leaving the club this year.

Boss Oliver Glasner called the former Watford forward “an important player” for the club.

“It looks like he is dealing really well with this – we know when he has pace, he is really good,” the Austrian said.

“He has such great runs, such great finishes. I remember, more or less, the same finish he had against Brighton [last season].

“He had the same finish against Arsenal in the FA Cup [last season]. He is the one with the pace, and more runs in behind, the most sprinting difference. It helps he creates space for the others. He has done really well.”

The Conference League has been won by an English team in two of the past three tournaments and Palace are among the favourites to add their names to that list this term.

After a shock defeat by AEK Larnaca at Selhurst Park last time out, Glasner said the victory in front of their home supporters was much needed.

“I hope it won’t be the last,” he said.

“The first time you always remember, there was a great atmosphere. I think everyone enjoyed it and goes home pleased with the result and the performance.”