
Let’s discuss a few examples.įirst Leg: Team A (home) 1-2 Team B (away) Therefore, the team which has scored more of the away goals ends up progressing ahead in the contest even if the scoreline is level on aggregate after 180 minutes of action. The away goals rule simply suggests that a goal scored away from home counts as extra if the scores are level after the stipulated time over the two legs of the tie. The away goals rule is only applicable on two-legged ties which are held both home and away. As debatable as it might be, the away goals rule has been responsible for plenty of historic and dramatic twists and results, some of which have now become mythical in football folklore, in Europe’s premier competitions.īut what is the away goals rule and why was it scrapped? We’ll discuss below: What is the away goals rule?įIFA has approved three events that can be decided to separate two teams in the case of a draw after two legs of football: penalties, extra-time, and away goals rule.

From Andres Iniesta’s iconic last-minute goal at the Stamford Bridge that sunk Chelsea hearts to Lucas Moura’s hattrick in the dying minutes against Ajax almost a decade later, the away goals rule has provided plenty of thrills as well as controversy in the Champions League. The away goal rule has had a titanic impact on important continental knockout matches, especially two-legged affairs, over the last few years. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin further explained the decision: “The impact of the rule now runs counter to its original purpose as, in fact, it now dissuades home teams – especially in first legs – from attacking, because they fear conceding a goal that would give their opponents a crucial advantage.” As a result, the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Europa Conference League as well as the women’s continental tournaments are being played without the away goals rule. On June 24, 2021, UEFA took a historic decision to scrap the away goals rule in football starting from the 2021/22 season. Is the away goals rule still applicable for UEFA Champions League in 2022?.Will the away goals rule count in the World Cup qualifiers?.When did UEFA scrap the away goals rule?.Which competitions has it affected and how will winners be decided now?.Why did UEFA decide to abolish the away goals rule?.

