Do away goals count in Europa League? The rules explained

Two English sides are in action in the Europa League semi-finals tonight, with Arsenal hosting Valencia and Chelsea travelling to Germany to face Eintracht Frankfurt.

The away goals rule was introduced to European competitions in 1965 and can change the dynamic of a two-leg tie.

Here is how it could impact on tonight’s matches.

How do away goals work in the Champions League?

In short, if the sides are level on goals after two legs, the team which has scored more goals away from home qualifies for the next round.

Read more: Chelsea team news: The expected 4-3-3 line-up against Eintracht Frankfurt

For example, in the event of a 3-3 scoreline in which there was a 2-2 draw over 90 minutes and a 1-1 draw, the side who was away for the 2-2 draw would progress, having scored one more goal than the other side away from home.

If this does not separate the sides, a period of extra-time is played – two 15-minute halves. Away goals stands for this extra time, meaning if the away side score, a result will occur one way or the other.

It’s all covered in Article 20 of Uefa’s official rules and regulations for the competition:

Article 20.01 – Away goals rule

For matches played under the knockout system, if the two teams involved in a tie score the same number of goals over the two legs, the team which scores more away goals qualifies for the next stage.

If this procedure does not produce a result, i.e. if both teams score the same number of goals at home and away, two 15-minute periods of extra time are played at the end of the second leg.

If both teams score the same number of goals during extra time, away goals count double (i.e. the visiting team qualifies for the next stage).

If no goals are scored during extra time, kicks from the penalty mark determine which team qualifies for the next stage.

What happens in other competitions?

The away goals rule applies to Uefa’s Champions League in exactly the same way as it does the Europa League.

In England, it was introduced to the League Cup for the 1980-81 season. Until then all ties, even if played over two legs, would be replayed if the aggregate scores were level after 180 minutes. However, this year both away goals and extra-time were abolished, with all knock-out ties – including the semi-finals, the only round to be played across two legs – going straight to a penalty shoot-out if the scores are level.

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The rule change means that no domestic competition in England now employs the away goals rule.

FA Cup ties go to a replay in the event of a draw, and if the scores are level after 90 minutes in the rematch extra-time and then penalties are employed. The same is true if the EFL Cup semi-finals, which are played over two legs, finish level on aggregate.