The away goals rule has been one of the most influential – and controversial – rules in the history of modern soccer. For more than half a century, this rule conditioned play-offs, defined titles and generated debates among coaches, players and fans. In recent years, however, it has been progressively eliminated from the world’s major competitions.
We explain what the double value of away goals was, how it worked, in which tournaments it is no longer used and why it ceased to be applied.
What was the away goal rule?
The away goal – popularly known as the “double goal” – was a tie-breaking criterion used in two-legged playoffs. According to this rule, when a series ended tied on aggregate, the team that had scored more goals playing away from home would advance.
Classic example:
- First leg: 0-0
- Second leg: 1-1
The visiting team qualified for the second leg by scoring more away goals.
Although it was often said that the goals “counted double”, in reality they only acted as a tie-breaker in the event of a tie.
What was the purpose of this rule?
The standard was introduced in the 1960s with the intention of:
- Boosting the offensive play of visiting teams, which in the past tended to defend excessively.
- Avoid repetitions of matches or draws, which were common before extra time and penalties.
- Reduce the historical home field advantage, which was more pronounced in previous eras due to factors such as long trips, less uniform stadiums and less standardized refereeing.
However, with the modernization of soccer, many of these factors were reduced and the impact of the rule began to be questioned.
Why was the away goal rule eliminated?
In 2021, UEFA officially announced the abolition of the double value of the away goal in all its competitions as of the 2021/22 season. The decision was based on:
1. Loss of the real advantage of the home team
Statistics showed that the difference between playing at home or away had narrowed significantly in recent decades due to:
- Better stadiums and playing conditions
- More comfortable and planned travel
- Refereeing with technology (GLT, VAR)
- More homogeneous playing styles
- More standardized playing fields
2. Rule seen as unfair at present.
Coaches such as Arsène Wenger or Diego Simeone denounced that:
- It was too much of a penalty to concede a goal at home.
- It discouraged the home team’s attack in the first leg.
- It created a disproportionate advantage during extra time, when the visitor could score a goal with “extra weight”.
3. Search for greater sports justice
Aleksander Čeferin, president of UEFA, claimed that the rule had become obsolete and no longer served its original purpose.
In which competitions does the away goal no longer apply?
The elimination of the rule was first applied in UEFA… and then extended globally.
UEFA Competitions where the rule NO longer exists:
- Champions League
- Europa League
- Conference League
- Women’s Champions League
- Youth League
- European Super Cup
From 2021/22, all goals are worth the same, and if the tie ends in a draw after the two matches:
- Overtime is played (two 15-minute halves).
- If there is still a tie, the game will be decided by penalty kicks.
Does the rule still exist in the Copa del Rey?
No. The Copa del Rey eliminated the double value of away goals from the 2021/22 season.
Currently:
- Most rounds are played as a single match.
- In two-legged playoffs (semifinals), if there is a tie on aggregate, extra time and penalty kicks are played.
Is there an away goal in the Copa Libertadores and Sudamericana?
Neither. Conmebol eliminated the rule in 2022, aligning itself with UEFA’s decision.
Since then:
- There is no away goal as a tie-breaker criterion.
- In the direct knockout rounds (round of 16, quarterfinals and semifinals), if there is a tie, it goes directly to penalties.
- The only exception is the single final, where there can be extra time.
In which competitions does the away goal still exist?
Very few maintain the rule today. Among them:
- Concacaf Champions Cup (formerly Concachampions)
- Some minor national cups
- Youth or regional tournaments that have not yet updated their regulations
How does the change affect the playoff format?
With the elimination of this rule:
- Local teams are no longer afraid of conceding a “double-weight” goal.
- A more offensive and balanced approach is encouraged.
- Extra time takes on greater importance as a real tiebreaker.
- The tactical reading of the series has changed profoundly.
The away goals rule marked an era and defined some of soccer’s most memorable playoffs. However, its disappearance reflects the natural evolution of the sport and the search for a fairer, more balanced and modern soccer.
Today, practically all the major competitions have adopted a unified system: all goals are worth the same and the tie-breaker is settled on the field, with extra time and penalties.
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