GET ready for more drama as we have reached the knock-out stages of the Champions League and the Europa League.
Here is all the latest on how the away goals rule will be used during the top two European competitions.
Do away goals count in Champions League and Europa League matches?
Away goals had been a feature of European knockout games since 1965.
But in 2021, this all changed.
After years of speculation, Uefa decided to scrap the away goals rule in Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League qualifiers and knockout games over two-legs.
As such, any tied aggregate score will now send a tie into extra-time.
Should the scores still be level after the extra 30 minutes, we go to penalties.
The law previously gave a significant advantage to sides who hit the back of the net on the road, but drew criticism from many fans.
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Uefa President Aleksander Ceferin explained the decision: “The away goals rule has been an intrinsic part of Uefa competitions since it was introduced in 1965. However, the question of its abolition has been debated at various Uefa meetings over the last few years.
“Although there was no unanimity of views, many coaches, fans and other football stakeholders have questioned its fairness and have expressed a preference for the rule to be abolished.
“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.
“There is also criticism of the unfairness, especially in extra time, of obliging the home team to score twice when the away team has scored.
“It is fair to say that home advantage is nowadays no longer as significant as it once was.
“Taking into consideration the consistency across Europe in terms of styles of play, and many different factors which have led to a decline in home advantage, the Uefa Executive Committee has taken the correct decision in adopting the view that it is no longer appropriate for an away goal to carry more weight than one scored at home.”
It means Bayern Munich could be the last team ever knocked out of the Champions League on away goals when they drew 3-3 on aggregate with Paris Saint-Germain in 2021.
PSG won the first leg 3-2 in Munich before Bayern edged them 1-0 in the second leg in Paris but were knocked out due to the now defunct rule.
Are there extra time and penalties in the Champions League and Europa League if scores are tied?
Yes. If the aggregate scores are level after two 90-minute games, the match goes to extra time in the second leg.
If the scores are level at the end of extra time then we will have penalty kicks to decide the winner.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
