What Happens If the Aggregate Score Is Tied?

Two legs, one scoreline — and after 180 minutes, the aggregate score is level. It's one of the most tense scenarios in knockout football. So what happens if the aggregate score is tied?

TL;DR: The tie goes to extra time, and if it is still level, a penalty shootout decides who advances.

The Basics of Aggregate Score

In two-legged ties used across the UEFA Champions League and Europa League, the scores from both matches are added together. The team with the higher total advances. If they match, the tie is not over.

Extra Time Comes First

Once the second leg ends level on aggregate, officials play two extra periods of 15 minutes each (30 minutes total). If a team leads on aggregate after extra time, they progress.

Then Penalties

If the aggregate score is still tied after 120 minutes, the winner is decided by a penalty shootout at the end of the second leg. This is the standard for UEFA competitions and most domestic cup ties.

The Away Goals Rule Ended

Historically, away goals were a tiebreaker: a team that scored more goals on the road advanced if the aggregate was level. That changed in 2021, when UEFA abolished the away goals rule for all its club competitions.

UEFA cited a decline in home advantage and wanted a simpler, fairer format. Now every goal counts equally, home or away — making extra time and penalties the only path to a decision.

Why It Matters for Fans

• The rule change means teams no longer protect a good away draw.
• More ties now stretch to extra time, adding drama and fatigue.
• Some domestic competitions, like the English EFL Cup, use different rules for their semi-final ties.

Key Takeaways

When the aggregate score is tied, the game does not go straight to spot kicks. Extra time is played first, then penalties if needed. It's a punishing but thrilling way to settle a knockout tie — and it has produced some of football's most unforgettable nights.