Away goals were a key feature of the UEFA Champions League for many years, creating some unforgettable moments in the competition’s history. From Andres Iniesta’s stunning goal against Chelsea in 2009 to Lucas Moura’s legendary finish against Ajax in the 2019 semi-finals, away goals were often the deciding factor for many teams.
However, with the introduction of the league phase and play-offs this season, the structure of UEFA competitions has changed, reshaping the path to the final. The play-offs have already provided plenty of excitement, including Celtic nearly forcing Bayern Munich into extra time and AC Milan being knocked out by Feyenoord.
Wednesday night marks the final stage before the last 16, raising the question: will away goals still have an impact?
What are away goals? Previously, the away goals rule stated that the team with the most goals scored away from home would advance if the two teams were level on aggregate after both legs. If the aggregate score and away goals were also tied, the match would go to extra time, and if necessary, a penalty shoot-out.
Do away goals still count? No, away goals no longer count in UEFA competitions. The rule was abolished in June 2021 and took effect from the 2021/22 season, following recommendations from both the UEFA Club Competitions Committee and the UEFA Women’s Football Committee.
What happens if the tie is level at full-time? Now, if a two-legged tie ends in a draw, it goes straight to extra time. If the score remains equal after extra time, the match will be decided by a penalty shoot-out.
What did they say? UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin believes removing the away goals rule was the right decision. He acknowledged that the rule had a significant impact in the past but now discouraged home teams from attacking in the first leg, as they feared conceding an away goal that could give their opponents a crucial advantage.
“The away goals rule has been an intrinsic part of UEFA competitions since it was introduced in 1965,” Čeferin stated. “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.”
He added: “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. It is fair to say that home advantage is nowadays no longer as significant as it once was.”