With the 2022 World Cup in the rear-view mirror, the soccer community couldn’t wait for the most important tournament in Europe to resume. Fortunately, the 2022-23 UEFA Champions League is finally back.
The stage for the knockout phase had been set before the Qatar 2022 break, leaving a number of highly anticipated ties waiting for us. PSG-Bayern, Real Madrid-Liverpool, and Tottenham-Milan are some of them.
All Champions League knockout rounds have a two-legged format except the final, which is played at a neutral venue.Therefore, many wonder whether the away goal rule matters from the round of 16 to the semifinals.
Champions League tiebreaker: Do away goals matter?
Away goals no longer matter in the Champions League knockout stage. UEFA removed the away goalrule last season in an effort to increase sporting justice. Thisrule meant away goals were the tiebreaker when the aggregate score was tied.
Itbasically encouraged visitors to adopt an offensive approach rather than parking the bus, but it was also a disadvantage for teams with home field advantage (if the series went to extra time, the visitors had more time to score away goals). Therefore, now the tiebreakersareovertime or penalty kicks (if needed).
Martin O'Donnell is a bilingual sports writer fluent in English and Spanish, currently serving as the Managing Editor of Bolavip. He began his journey with the website in February 2021, making a name for himself through comprehensive coverage of multiple sports, including NFL and soccer, with a specialty in original content and real-time reporting of major events such as the World Cup, UEFA Champions League finals, and the Super Bowl. In June 2024, Martin took on the role of Subeditor, where he excelled in overseeing the publication of stories, assisting staff writers, and ensuring content quality. His prior experience includes managing social media for CONMEBOL Libertadores and Sudamericana in English and Spanish, as well as reporting on Brazilian football for Sambafoot. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and ability to capture breaking news, Martin has consistently been a valuable asset to the Bolavip team, especially during crucial sports seasons involving trades, playoffs, and finals. Now, as the Managing Editor since May 2025, Martin brings his extensive experience and keen editorial sense to lead Bolavip’s team, driving the website's growth and ensuring it remains a top source for sports news and analysis with interviews and exclusive content.
