Away goals: The end of a half-century-old rule

Originally, the away goals rule was introduced in football to solve the logistical, physical and calendar problems of a play-off or tie-breaker when two teams are very closely matched. When the scores from the two legs are absolutely equal, which may still be the case after a third leg tie-breaker. The away goals rule is intended to encourage the away team to be more aggressive. ![]()

In football, at least, this can lead to a nervous first leg: the home team is reluctant to commit a large number of players to attack in order not to concede an away goal, while the away team tries to steal away goals to help them in the second leg. These tactics probably make the second leg more exciting, as both sides have a chance to win in a low-scoring first leg. It is sometimes debated whether the away goals rule gives the team playing away first an unfair advantage - the other team loses their home advantage in the first leg due to the fear of an away goal - and this can be a reason for the somewhat inconsistent reception to the competition.

This rule can make the game more exciting because normally a goal can only make the difference between a loss and a draw, or a draw and a win, but under the away goals rule, a goal can make the difference between a loss and a win.

Another problem is that if extra time is played in the second leg, the away team will get an extra 30 minutes to take advantage of the away goals rule. In return, in extra time, the home team gets an extra 30 minutes at home. Also, usually, the home team has played better in the group stage, which will naturally be slightly ahead of the away team.
Under the new rules, if two teams score the same number of goals in two legs in European competitions such as the Champions League and Europa League, the match will be played in two halves with 15 minutes of extra time. If necessary, a penalty shootout will be taken to determine the result of the match.

Regarding the abolition of away goals, UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin said, “The away goals rule has been an integral part of UEFA competitions since 1965. However, in the last few years, there have been demands for its abolition at UEFA meetings. Although not everyone agrees, many coaches, fans and other football stakeholders have questioned its legitimacy and have expressed their preference for the abolition of this rule. ”

The head of Europe’s top football body also said that the effect of this rule is that home teams deviate from the real purpose of the game. They are afraid to go on the attack for fear of conceding a goal.