Some soccer fixtures are determined over two legs, and the score is given in aggregate. But what does the term mean? And why is it important in the beautiful game?
Here, we explain everything you need to know about aggregate in soccer and give you some examples of times within the game that it’s important.
What does aggregate mean in soccer?
In soccer, an aggregate score is one that is achieved over two legs. So, instead of just taking into account the goals scored after ninety minutes, an aggregate score takes into account goals scored after 180 minutes. Aggregate scores are popular in cup competitions, where each team plays one game at home and one away. The winning team is that with the highest’ aggregate’ score, or simply, the most goals after the two games.
Home and away legs explained
In many cup competitions in soccer, the aggregate scoring system is used to decide on which team progresses to the next round. For example, the Champions League – the biggest competition in European soccer – uses home and away legs (or ties) in the latter part of the competition to decide which team goes through.
So, when two teams reach the knockout stages – let’s use Real Madrid and Bayern Munich as examples – they are required to play two matches before progressing to the next round. If Real are drawn first, they will play the first tie at home in the Santiago Bernabeu, known as their home leg. The following match played a week or so later will take place in Germany, at Bayern’s Allianz Arena. This would be known as Real’s away leg.
Therefore, both teams are given equal opportunity to play in front of their home fans, which is widely regarded as a significant advantage in sport. If home and away legs weren’t used, the team playing at home would receive an unfair advantage.
It’s important to note that not every competition uses home and away legs, so sometimes it’s the luck of the draw that decides on which team gets to play in front of their fans. While this might seem a little unfair, that’s just how it works in soccer!
Why is aggregate in soccer important?
Aggregate in soccer is important because it levels the playing field. Rather than relying on the luck of the draw to decide which team plays at home, aggregate scoring enables both teams to play at home. As such, this gives both teams an equal chance to win the tie overall.
It also increases the excitement of the tie for supporters, as they get to enjoy 180 minutes against the same opposition. If one of the teams badly underperforms in the first leg, for instance, they have a chance to put things right in the second leg.
While not universally used in soccer tournaments, first and second legs are extremely popular in many competitions, which is why understanding the aggregate scoring system is important.
Is aggregate used in all competitions?
No, as mentioned, aggregate in soccer is not used in every competition. For example, in leagues, aggregate scores are not used. They’re also absent from international tournaments, including the World Cup and Copa America, where a straight-knockout system is preferred.
Aggregate scoring is used in the latter stages of international club competitions like the Copa Libertadores and the UEFA Champions League. Some domestic club competitions in certain countries also use aggregate scoring to decide on the winner, but this isn’t the case in every nation.
Do away goals count for more in aggregate fixtures?
In soccer, there’s a unique rule known as ‘away goals.” This is sometimes used in club competitions, but it was recently scrapped by UEFA and is no longer used in the Europa League or Champions League.
Basically, where an away goals rule is in play, it’s more valuable to score a goal away from home than at home, working on the premise that it’s more difficult to score in the away leg of an aggregate fixture. Here’s an example:
Leg 1: Real Madrid 2-1 Bayern Munich – (Agg: 2-1)
Leg 2: Bayern Munich 1-0 Real Madrid (Agg: 2-2)
Above, the final score after both legs is 2-2. You might think that the tie would then go to extra time and penalties, which it would if there was no away goals rule. However, Bayern would be the winners by virtue of away goals scored.
Therefore, the away goals rule is a way of determining a winner if the aggregate score of a tie ends in a draw.
Recap: Aggregate in Soccer
Aggregate in soccer is important to understand, as it influences the outcome of matches in many different tournaments. The key takeaway is that an aggregate score is one that is taken from two matches, one played at home and another away. The winner of the tie is the team that has scored the most goals over the course of the fixture.
While not used universally, the aggregate scoring system in soccer is common in big club competitions, so it’s helpful to understand how it is implemented.
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