Combine the scores by club, not by screen position
In a hypothetical first leg, Club A hosts Club B and wins 1–0. In the second leg, Club B hosts Club A and wins 2–1. Club A has two goals across the tie, and Club B also has two. The left-hand home position changes between legs, so total by club rather than adding the two home scores together.
This basic ledger prevents a common mistake when comparing a pair of result cards. Keep which club hosted each leg, and preserve the leg number with the final score. A single 2–1 result does not by itself identify the winner of the two-leg semifinal.
Do not apply an away-goals shortcut
In that example, Club A scored once away while Club B scored no away goal. The published A-League Men rule still leaves the aggregate tied because the away goals rule is not used. The location of those goals does not automatically send Club A through.
The rules provide extra time when the semifinal tie remains level across the legs, and penalties if still level after that. Keep the two 15-minute periods separate from ordinary stoppage-time allowance. An additional playing phase does not prove that the broadcaster miscalculated the aggregate or forgot a goal.
Preserve the season and stage in a replay search
This comparison concerns the 2026/27 men’s semifinal format. It should not be treated as a universal rule for every two-leg football tie or an older season. A country, club or competition name alone may return archives with different regulations.
For an actual match, check the official results for each leg and the competition’s dated rules rather than inferring a final winner from one cropped graphic. The fictional Club A/Club B ledger explains arithmetic and the published procedure only; it does not invent a fixture, result, rights agreement or successful stream. Use the actual host and date separately when making a viewing reminder.
Questions about this guide
Does one away goal win a level A-League Men 2026/27 semifinal tie?
No. The rules explicitly do not use away goals.
Should the two home-team scores simply be added together?
No. Keep each club’s goals across both legs; the host position changes.