Do away goals count in Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid? Extra-time rules explained for Champions League semi-final | OneFootball

Gunners and Atletico lock horns once again with Champions League semi-final tie delicately poised

Arsenal's Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid hangs in the balance ahead of Tuesday night's second leg.

The Gunners welcome Atleti to the Emirates Stadium knowing a repeat of the scoreline when the sides met in the league phase will secure only a second-ever Champions League final appearance.

Atleti, meanwhile, are out to reach their first Champions League final in a decade and manager Diego Simeone has promised his side will pick up from where they left off in Madrid last week.

The story of the first leg was the controversy surrounding numerous penalties.

Viktor Gyokeres fired Arsenal into the lead with a penalty after he was fouled by David Hancko in the area late in the first half.

Viktor Gyokeres put Arsenal in front against Atletico Madrid in the first leg

Getty

Julian Alvarez then equalised from the spot early in the second half when Marcos Llorente’s volley struck Ben White’s hand following a VAR review.

Arsenal were then denied a chance to restore their lead when referee Danny Makkelie overturned his on-pitch decision to award the visitors another penalty when Eberechi Eze was sent tumbling by Hancko’s outstretched right leg.

With no side protecting any kind of lead from the first leg, victory for either on the night will be enough to book a place in the Champions League final.

Here, Standard Sport takes a look at how the rules work for the Champions League semi-final.

Do away goals count?

No. Away goals will NOT count in the semi-finals of the Champions League.

"The away goals rule has been an intrinsic part of Uefa competitions since it was introduced in 1965," said Ceferin.

"However, the question of its abolition has been debated at various Uefa meetings over the last few years. Although there was no unanimity of views, many coaches, fans and other football stakeholders expressed a preference for the rule to be abolished."

Previously, a goalless draw would have been enough for Arsenal to progress by virtue of scoring in Madrid.

Is there extra-time in the Champions League semi-final?

Yes. Extra-time will be used on Tuesday night should the aggregate score be level after 90 minutes.

From there 30 more minutes will be played after which the outcome may be decided by a penalty shootout if Arsenal and Atletico Madrid still can’t be separated.