Are there away goals in CONCACAF Champions League? What happens if series end in tie on aggregate goals?

Kyle Bonn

Are there away goals in CONCACAF Champions League? What happens if series end in tie on aggregate goals? image

While the UEFA Champions League has scrapped away goals for the 2022 competition, deciding that the rule didn't produce the intended result, the North American competition has not made such a determination.

Unlike the European competition with the same name, the CONCACAF Champions League still uses the away goals rule for all two-legged matchups in the competition. However, there is one notable exception.

The CONCACAF Champions League final, which has reverted back to a two-legged matchup after being contested in just one 90-minute match for the 2020 and 2021 tournaments, will not count away goals. Away goals are used as a tiebreaker for the Round of 16, quarterfinals and semifinals.

In addition, for those three knockout stages, extra time is not utilized in the event of a level aggregate score with even away goal counts. If the scores are level after 180 minutes, and away goals cannot separate the sides, the game goes straight to a penalty-kick shootout.

MORE: No away goals in UEFA Champions League or Europa League

However, like away goals, that rule changes for the final, with extra-time utilized in the event of a level aggregate score after 180 minutes of play. If it remains level after extra-time, then a penalty shootout is contested.

Are there away goals in CONCACAF Champions League?

The CONCACAF Champions League rulebook states:

12.7.1 If the aggregate goals between the two teams are equal at the end of regulation time of the 2nd leg match, the tie-breaker criteria will be determined as follows:

12.7.1.1 Greater number of away goals scored in regulation time in the two matches;

12.7.1.2 If still tied, then kicks from the penalty spot procedure will take place as per the IFAB Laws of the Game.

As stated, the rules change for the final, which is also played in the classic home-and-home format.

The bar is higher for the final and the eventual champion can't rely on the away goals tiebreaker. It will have to be earned on the field (or via penalties):

12.8.1 Away goals will not hold any value in the final round.

12.8.2 If the aggregate goals between the two teams are equal at the end of regulation time of the 2nd leg match, two 15-minute periods of extra time will be played.

[…] 12.8.4 If the result is still tied after the 2nd period of extra time, then kicks from the penalty spot procedure will take place as per the IFAB Laws of the Game.

Kyle Bonn

Kyle Bonn Photo

Kyle Bonn, is a Syracuse University broadcast journalism graduate with over a decade of experience covering soccer globally. Kyle specializes in soccer tactics and betting, with a degree in data analytics. Kyle also does TV broadcasts for Wake Forest soccer, and has had previous stops with NBC Soccer and IMG College. When not covering the game, he has long enjoyed loyalty to the New York Giants, Yankees, and Fulham. Kyle enjoys playing racquetball and video games when not watching or covering sports.