Is there Champions League away goals? Rules explained for Arsenal tie with Real Madrid

and Real Madrid meet for the first of two Champions League quarter-final ties on Wednesday night with the Gunners looking to make a major statement in Europe.

Mikel Arteta's men are coming up against one of their toughest opposition since returning to the competition last season. The north Londoners have faced Atalanta, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter in the earlier stages but Madrid provide a sturdy test.

prior to their meeting with Arsenal. It's anticipated to be a Champions League classic with the tie being the first time the two sides have met since 2006.

READ MORE:

READ MORE:

Madrid have the advantage of playing the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu. Fortunately for them, they won't have to play against the old away goals rule like previous years. Here, football.london has taken a look at what the rules are now in the two-legged ties.

What was the away goals rule?

The away goals rule in the Champions League was outlawed in June 2021 following the recommendation of the UEFA Club Competitions Committee and the UEFA Women's Football Committee. When applied, this rule was used to split two teams who were tied on aggregate after the culmination of two legs.

The team to progress to the next round would be the one who scored the most goals away from home. This coined the phrase of away goals 'counting as double' due to the significance of scoring at the opposition's stadium.

For example, if tonight's game ended 2-2, Madrid would have a significant advantage in the second-leg. It would mean that Arsenal would have to win or draw 2-2, at the very least, to take it to extra-time.

Now, that is no longer the case and it is just a matter of the outcome of the aggregate score. If that score is level across 180 minutes, extra-time and possibly penalties will decide the winner of the tie.