Ismaila Sarr scored twice as Crystal Palace edged past nine-man AEK Larnaca in extra time to move into the quarter-finals of the Conference League.
The Senegal forward opened the scoring in the 13th minute to hand Oliver Glasner’s side the perfect start in Cyprus following their first-leg goalless draw in south London a week ago.
Spanish defender Enric Saborit headed in a 63rd-minute equaliser after the break before being sent-off for a second yellow card 10 minutes later, as the hosts took the tie to extra time.
And it was left to Sarr to deliver the decisive contribution in the 99th minute as he steered in Daichi Kamada’s low cross from close range set up a meeting with Fiorentina in the last eight.
The closing minutes were marred by the dismissal of another Larnaca defender Petros Ioannou for a studs-first rash challenge on Jean-Philippe Mateta, while home supporters threw cups and other objects on to the pitch.
Palace’s victory ensured they gained some measure of revenge for their league-phase defeat to the Cypriot side at Selhurst Park in October.
With the international break, they don’t play next until the quarter-final tie with Fiorentina on 9 April and boss Glasner told TNT Sports: “It’s a huge achievement. We are looking forward to really make the best of these three weeks.
“We will have a few days off and many of our players go to their national teams, and then we will prepare and make a friendly to stay in the rhythm.
“I expect Eddie Nketiah back so everybody will help us because then it will be a very tight schedule until the end of the season and hopefully our European journey continues.”
However, it was far from plain sailing at times for Palace against a resolute Larnaca side who had conceded just once in their previous seven games in the competition.
After Sarr had rounded home goalkeeper Zlatan Alomerovic to put them ahead, Palace made heavy weather of putting the game beyond the hosts and were punished for a defensive lapse as Saborit headed home a Marcus Rohden corner.
It was only once Sarr had registered his fifth goal in the competition that Palace, aided by their numerical advantage, threatened to cut loose.
The 28-year-old also curled an effort on to the Larnaca crossbar, while Jorgen Strand Larsen headed against the post as another goalmouth scramble almost produced a goal.
Sarr was again denied a hat-trick when he hit the frame of the goal with almost the last kick of the game.
Crystal Palace analysis: Sarr shines as Eagles keep Euro dream alive
Glasner had called for his side to be more ruthless in front of goal following their 0-0 draws, against Larnaca and in the Premier League against Leeds, over the past week.
And when Sarr latched on to Adam Wharton’s deflected pass to put Palace in charge early on, his wish appeared to have been granted.
The forward was Palace’s main source of inspiration throughout the night and thought he had doubled the lead midway through the first half, but was correctly flagged offside when he headed in Kamada’s delivery from the left.
But worryingly from there, his side’s performance fell flat.
Larnaca had barely got out of their half until they levelled when the unmarked Saborit climbed above Chris Richards to head in a set-piece.
However, Sarr came to the rescue to maintain the Eagles’ European dream and deserved a first senior hat-trick, with his late attempts hitting the woodwork.
On this form, he looks capable of helping his departing Austrian boss go out on a high at the end of the campaign, as Palace look to become the third team from London to lift the Conference League trophy in four years.
