Victory in the FA Cup

Crystal Palace against Millwall from 13.15 LIVE

Crystal Palace are through to the next round.(Bild: AFP/APA/Glyn KIRK, X/brfootball)

Crystal Palace are through to the quarter-finals of the English FA Cup. Oliver Glasner's side defeated second-division side FC Millwall 3:1 on Saturday, with the visitors playing short-handed from the sixth minute due to a horror foul.

Crystal Palace advanced to the quarter-finals of the English FA Cup on Saturday for the first time since 2022. However, the 3:1 home win for coach Oliver Glasner's team against second division side Millwall was overshadowed by a head injury to star striker Jean-Philippe Mateta. The Frenchman was struck on the head by Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts as he attempted to clear a ball with an outstretched leg. As he received treatment, Millwall fans chanted: "Let him die!"

Early red card
Mateta was given oxygen and taken to hospital. The comments from the notorious Millwall supporters caused a wave of outrage in the British media, including the BBC commentator. Roberts was shown an early red card for his kung-fu action after reviewing the video footage (8th). Glasner, who himself ended his active career in the summer of 2011 after suffering a serious head injury, did not want to accuse the Millwall goalkeeper of intent. "But when you go for a ball with that intensity and your foot in the air, you can't do that," said the Upper Austrian. "It's too dangerous. It was a terrible foul."

"Ear looks terrible"
According to Glasner, Mateta was conscious after the 27-year-old was hit on the side of the head with the studs. "His ear looks terrible," said the Crystal Palace coach. "It's a very serious injury. We all hope for the best for him." Despite the sporting success, they are not really happy. Glasner: "It's great to get to the quarter-finals, but when you lose a player, especially with a foul like that, you have two different feelings in your stomach."

Crystal Palace led 2-0 thanks to an own goal (33') and a goal from Daniel Munoz (40'), but Millwall managed to equalize through Wes Harding shortly before the break (45.+14). Eddie Nketiah, who came on as a substitute for Mateta, scored the winner (81').