Away goals still the king in Champions League as Benfica pip PSG to top spot

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    Away goals returned to the Champions League for one night only as Benfica pipped PSG to top spot in Group H.

    Both sides won their final group games on Wednesday (November 2), with the Portuguese outfit smashing Maccabi Haifa 6-1 on their travels and the French giants beating Juventus 2-1 away from home.

    Those results meant they both finished on 14 points. When there's a tie, the next determing factor is the two teams' head-to-head record – but their meetings at the Estadio da Luz and Parc des Princes each ended 1-1.

    READ MORE: Chelsea and Tottenham fans in shock as PSG finish second to set up nightmare UCL draw

    UEFA then turn to goal difference, which again could not separate them as they both finished on plus nine. It was the same story for goals scored as they had an equal tally of 16.

    That meant the group winner had to be decided on away goals, with Benfica's nine trumping PSG's six, thanks in large part to their rout in Israel.

    Should UEFA bring away goals back? Let us know in the comments section below

    That means PSG will face one of Manchester City, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Tottenham, Bayern Munich, Porto or Napoli when the Champions League returns next February.

    They fell at the round of 16 last year to eventual winners Real and could do so again with the potential of a nightmare draw. The qualified teams will learn their fate next Monday (November 7).

    The away goals rule in the knockout stages was scrapped for the 2021/22 season and UEFA have no plans to re-introduce it when the competition's format changes from 2024.

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