What Does Aggregate Mean in Football? Two-Legged Ties Explained
Aggregate means the combined score of two matches played between the same teams. In a two-legged tie, each team plays once at home and once away, and the side with the most total goals across both matches goes through. On a live score, you will often see it written as Agg 3-2.
A simple example
| Match | Result | Aggregate after this match |
|---|---|---|
| First leg | Team A 2-1 Team B | Team A leads 2-1 |
| Second leg | Team B 1-0 Team A | Level at 2-2 |
Each team has won one match and the aggregate is 2-2, so the tie is not decided. In most competitions today, the second leg would continue into extra time.
Another example: losing but going through
Suppose Team A wins the first leg 3-0 and loses the second leg 2-1. Team A lost the final match, but it wins the tie 4-2 on aggregate. This is why a team can celebrate after losing, and why a team with a big first-leg lead may play more cautiously in the second match.
What happens if the aggregate is level?
- The second leg continues with extra time, two periods of 15 minutes.
- If the aggregate is still level, the tie goes to a penalty shoot-out.
Extra time is only played in the second leg, never after the first. Some competitions use a different process, so it is worth checking the regulations of the tournament you are following. See extra time and penalty shoot-outs for more.
Do away goals still count?
In UEFA's club competitions, no. UEFA abolished the away goals rule from the 2021-22 season. Previously, if the aggregate was level, the team that had scored more goals away from home went through. Today an away goal counts the same as any other goal. Some competitions outside Europe set their own rules, so the answer can differ elsewhere.
Why are some ties played over two legs?
- Fairness: both teams get a home match, which reduces the effect of home advantage.
- Income: both clubs earn money from a home crowd and from broadcasting.
- Drama: the tie can swing across two matches, and big comebacks become possible.
Where you will see aggregate scores
Two-legged ties are common in the knockout rounds of the UEFA Champions League, Europa League and Conference League, and the Copa Libertadores. They are also used in some domestic cups and promotion or relegation play-offs. Finals are often a single match at a chosen venue, so no aggregate applies. See how this works in the Champions League format guide and the Copa Libertadores guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does "on aggregate" mean?
It means over both matches combined. "Won 4-2 on aggregate" means the team scored four goals and conceded two across the two legs.
Does a penalty shoot-out count in the aggregate?
No. Shoot-out goals decide the tie, but they are recorded separately from the match and aggregate scores.
Which team plays the second leg at home?
This depends on the competition. In seeded rounds, the higher-ranked team usually hosts the second leg, which is seen as an advantage. In unseeded rounds, the draw often decides.
Do extra-time goals count in the aggregate?
Yes. Goals scored in extra time are normal match goals, so they are added to the aggregate.