17 Sept 2026

Crystal Palace 4-0 Lech Poznań: Europa League report

Crystal Palace opened their UEFA Europa League campaign with a clean 4-0 win over Lech Poznań at Selhurst Park. A sharp first half and a controlled second got the job done in style. The score looks big, but the numbers explain why. Full player data and event timelines are available on the Sofascore match page, with the wider competition picture on the UEFA Europa League hub.

First-half surge at Selhurst Park

Palace set the tone early. Yéremy Pino needed only 10 minutes to find the corner with a precise right-foot finish, putting Palace 1-0 up. The advantage doubled on 27 minutes when Chris Richards rose to nod in an Adam Wharton cross that came from a set-piece routine. By the 34th minute it was three, with Jørgen Strand Larsen converting a penalty that Pino had earned.

The half-time numbers backed the scoreline. Palace led 3-0 while posting 1.64 xG to Lech’s 0.67. Shots on target were 4-1, and Palace created two big chances to Lech’s two, crucially scoring both of theirs. Selhurst Park had seen plenty of purposeful possession too, with Palace edging territory and finding good angles from wide areas.

Why the score reads 4-0: team stats that mattered

Across 90 minutes, Palace held 53% possession and produced 2.14 xG to Lech’s 1.10. Total shots were close at 16-17, as were shots on target at 6-6. The difference was in chance quality and execution, reflected in expected goals on target at 2.71 for Palace versus 1.05 for Lech. Palace also converted two of their three big chances, while Lech failed to score from their two.

Out of possession, Palace were tidier and more active. They won the interceptions count 21-9 and the tackle count 21-11, then added more recoveries at 74-63. Passing was cleaner too, with 480 accurate passes to Lech’s 410 and a clearer edge in final third phases, 126 of 157 for 80% completion. Crossing accuracy mattered, with Palace at 4 of 14 compared to Lech’s 2 of 14, and the visitors went 0 of 8 after the break. Lech were dispossessed 12 times to Palace’s 5 and committed an error that led directly to a goal, which is never a helpful line on the post-match sheet.

Yéremy Pino’s all action night

Pino was the standout and earned a 9.1 Sofascore Rating. He scored the opener, won the penalty for the third, and kept the visiting back line busy all evening. The winger completed 52 of 66 passes and made 3 key passes, adding one big chance created. He was involved everywhere with 90 touches and 29 ball carries, pushing play forward with nine progressive carries and nearly 100 meters of progressive distance.

The finishing numbers tell a neat story too. Pino attempted 4 shots, with one on target, one off target and two blocked, for 0.74 xG and 0.75 xG on target. He mixed craft with graft, winning 6 of 12 duels, making 5 recoveries and 3 interceptions. It was the kind of winger’s performance that stretches a match, and it set the platform for Palace to control both scoreboard and tempo.

Supporting cast and turning points

Behind the forwards, Walter Benítez quietly stacked up a match-winning goalkeeper line. He made 6 saves, prevented 1.05 goals by Sofascore’s model, and handled his area with 3 high claims and 2 punches. That stability paired well with a centre-back showing from Axel Disasi, who completed 60 of 62 passes, made 3 blocks and 4 clearances, and kept Palace circulating the ball with purpose. Chris Richards did a bit of everything in his 74 minutes, including the key headed goal, 42 of 44 completed passes and 4 tackles.

Adam Wharton ran the midfield nicely with 69 of 80 passes completed, 3 key passes and the assist from a smart cross. Off the bench, Dwight McNeil delivered 16 of 16 passes, added 3 key passes and served up the assist for the late fourth. Eddie Nketiah obliged with that 89th minute finish to round off the night. The major late swing for Lech was a second yellow for Radosław Murawski on 87 minutes, which trimmed their resistance just as Palace chased the final flourish.

Lech Poznań’s effort without reward

The visitors were not short on activity. They finished with 17 shots, 6 on target and a respectable 1.10 xG. Luis Palma posed a regular threat with 5 shots and 3 on target, and Mikael Ishak got into scoring spots but missed a big chance. The difference came down to areas and margins, as Lech managed only 2 of 14 accurate crosses and were shut out in that metric after the interval.

There were bright passing splits and some territory, with 46 final third entries and solid involvement from Joel Pereira on the right. Yet the decisive plays broke Palace’s way. Terry Yegbe’s recorded error led to a goal, and goalkeeper Mateusz Lis ended on 2 saves with a goals prevented figure of -1.29. Factor in the Murawski penalty conceded in the first half and his late red card, and the visitors were always chasing a game that tilted toward Palace’s strengths. The average team ratings underline it at 7.39 for Palace and 6.25 for Lech, which matches what the scoreboard already said.

Player of the Match

By Sofascore Rating, Yéremy Pino topped the list at 9.1. Fans agreed, giving Pino 423 of 574 votes. The algorithm and the crowd picked the same player.

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