What changed about the away goals rule in this competition?
In a move similar to adjustments seen in other major competitions, the federation decided that away goals no longer carry extra weight. The rule was approved just hours before summer semi finals were drawn, signaling a shift in how the winner of each round would be determined. Under the new framework, the team that finishes with more goals across both legs will advance, regardless of where those goals were scored or which team played at home first. If the two matches end with equal totals after regulation time, the tie moves to extra time to decide the winner.
Once extra time is played, the side that scores more goals in that period wins the knock-out round. If no team edges ahead or if the score remains level after extra time, a decisive penalty shootout is used to determine the surviving side.
What was the traditional purpose of away goals with double value?
Historically, goals scored away from home carried twice as much weight in the event of a draw on aggregate. The idea was to reward the visiting team for scoring on the road, influencing the overall tally that decided who moved on in the competition. The classic example: if the first leg ended 0-0 and the return leg finished 1-1, the away goal in the second match would count as a tiebreaker in favor of the visiting side, effectively tipping the balance in their favor.
Put simply, the double value created a built in incentive for teams to attack away from home, often shaping defensive strategies and the pace of the matches across both legs.
What happens if the teams are level after both legs?
With the new setup, the calculation of the tie no longer depends on which leg was played first. The emphasis shifts to total goals across both games. If the aggregate score remains tied after the standard two halves and any extra 30 minutes, the match goes to a regular overtime period consisting of two 15-minute segments. If the score is still tied at the end of overtime, a penalty shootout definitively decides the winner of the tie.
The federation underscored that the aim of these changes is to streamline the decision process and to ensure that the outcome reflects scoring prowess over the course of the entire tie rather than the advantage of hosting the second leg or the first. This adjustment is intended to clarify the path to the final while maintaining the drama and fairness fans expect from the competition.