Kamada’s stoppage-time goal earns Crystal Palace draw after late red card

Daichi Kamada scored in added time to earn Crystal Palace a 1-1 draw with Hoffenheim, rescuing a point after the English side had been outplayed for long periods and reduced to 10 men. The late equaliser provided relief for manager Pierre Sage but did not resolve Palace’s broader difficulties. Hoffenheim took the lead in the seventh minute after Palace lost possession near the visitors’ penalty area.

Tim Lemperle delivered quickly from the right, and Alexander Prass’s first-time shot beat goalkeeper Dean Henderson after the effort squirmed through him and crossed the line. The German side created the clearer chances during the first half. Henderson saved from Andrej Kramaric in the 23rd minute, while Ozan Kabak headed over from an unmarked position at a corner shortly before the interval.

Palace gradually entered the game but never established sustained control. Palace’s best opportunity before the equaliser came in the second half. Adam Wharton created space outside the area and played in Yéremy Pino, whose attempt to lift the ball over advancing goalkeeper Oliver Baumann was blocked.

Sage then made a double substitution, moving Kamada into midfield and bringing on Eddie Nketiah to strengthen the attack. The hosts’ prospects worsened when Wharton was sent off with 13 minutes remaining. Despite being down to 10 players, Palace continued to push, and Hoffenheim failed to clear a goalmouth scramble in stoppage time.

Kamada reacted quickest and fired under Baumann to level the match. Sage said afterward that whether Palace deserved the point “depended on the moment of the game.” He praised the team’s attitude but criticised its tactical display, saying Palace had conceded too much space and had struggled in individual duels. He also said the team became too open when attempting to attack.

The draw leaves Palace 20th in the Europa League standings, according to The Guardian, with the competition offering little respite before a Premier League meeting with Liverpool on Sunday. The result was only a temporary escape from the scrutiny surrounding Sage and a team that has struggled to produce convincing performances. Elsewhere in the European competitions, Brighton beat Getafe 1-0 through Malick Yalcouyé and remained the only team yet to concede in the Conference League.

Brighton’s seven points from three matches put them fifth. Lugano, Panathinaikos and Monaco maintained perfect starts, while Ajax won 6-1 away at Midtjylland and Hearts lost 3-1 at Thun. Those results provided wider context to a night in which Palace’s late recovery contrasted with their uncertain campaign.