- Crystal Palace face Shakhtar Donetsk
- Ismaila Sarr scores a 21-second opener
- The Senegalese winger makes history
It took just 21 seconds for Crystal Palace to take the lead against Shakhtar Donetsk in their UEFA Conference League semi-final first leg tonight. The Eagles made a dream start to the game in Krakow, Poland.
Ismaila Sarr netted his eighth goal in Europe this season, putting the final touch on an excellent attacking move. The Senegalese attacker surged into the box before calmly slotting past Dmytro Riznyk.
Palace made a similar fast start in the 3-0 win over Fiorentina at Selhurst Park earlier this month. It was a simply superb goal and made history in the process.
Sarr Makes Conference League History
Sarr scored the earliest goal in Conference League history to give his side the lead. It came after Maxence Lacroix had headed the ball forward and Sarr linked up with Jean-Philippe Mateta and Yeremy Pino.
Sarr raced onto Mateta’s through ball before finding the back of the net and sending the visiting Palace fans into dreamland. His strike has broken the earliest goal record held by Ferdy Druijf for Rapid Vienna against Vitesse when he netted after 32 seconds.
Lucy Ward on commentary for TNT Sports praised Sarr for stepping up to the plate yet again:
“Sarr had quite a lot to do, but what a finish. He is the main man and he has been for a few months. They needed to settle the nerves and he has done that.”
The former Marseille man has now bagged 18 goals and two assists in 38 games across competitions. He is enjoying an extraordinary season.
Palace Perfection
Sarr’s goal wasn’t just about breaking a record or giving Palace a vital lead. It was one of the best goals of Oliver Glasner’s side’s season, with Mateta providing a moment of magic.
The French frontman’s assist deserves just as much appreciation as the Senegalese winger’s finish. Shakhtar tried to respond in an entertaining first half, but the Eagles headed in at half-time 1-0 up.
Glasner’s men have taken a big step towards the final in Leipzig in May. And Sarr has also gone level in the Golden Boot race with Samunspor’s Marius Mouandilmadji and Lech’s Mikael Ishak.
