2

I scrolled through some soccer leagues and I accidentally came across the following situation. It's about Hapoel Be'er Sheva and Southampton from Group K in the 2016-'17 UEFA Europa League. To start, they both got 8 point in the group stage. So now we're going to apply the tiebreaker rules:

  1. higher number of points obtained in the group matches played among the teams in question;

The two matches between Hapoel Be'er Sheva and Southampton resulted in a 0-0 and 1-1, so in this case they each scored 2 points (because of the two draws).

  1. superior goal difference from the group matches played among the teams in question;

The goal difference among Hapoel Be'er Sheva and Southampton is in both matches zero.

  1. higher number of goals scored in the group matches played among the teams in question;

In these two matches, Hapoel Be'er Sheva has scored 1 goal and Southampton also has scored 1 goal.

  1. higher number of goals scored away from home in the group matches played among the teams in question;

Again, Hapoel Be'er Sheva has scored 1 goal and Southampton also has scored 1 goal.

  1. if, after having applied criteria 1 to 4, teams still have an equal ranking, criteria 1 to 4 are reapplied exclusively to the matches between the teams in question to determine their final rankings. If this procedure does not lead to a decision, criteria 6 to 12 apply;
  2. superior goal difference in all group matches;

The superior goal difference of Southampton is +2 and that from Hapoel Be'er Sheva is 0.

Then why did Hapoel Be'er Sheva got through over Southampton if Southampton got a higher superior goal difference at rule 6? Did I miss something?

1 Answer 1

5

This is the criterion which decides it (emphasis mine).

  1. higher number of goals scored away from home in the group matches played among the teams in question;

It is basically the same as the well-known away goals rule which is commonly used for two-leg fixtures.

If you look at the results in the matches between these two teams, Hapoel scored one goal in the away match (since the 1-1 draw was in Southampton). Southampton scored no goals away. (In the 0-0 draw was the match played in Beersheba, so Hapeol was the home team and Southampton was the away team.)

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.