When the final whistle blew in Turin on Wednesday night, Paris Saint-players Germain's were ecstatic.
A 2-1 victory over Juventus should have been enough to propel them to the top of Champions League Group H, ahead of Benfica...
But no. It was not the case.
Benfica defeated Maccabi Haifa 6-1 after scoring five goals in the second half.
Benfica drew level on goal difference with PSG as a result of this result.
In terms of goals scored, PSG and Benfica were also tied.Their head-to-head record couldn't separate them either, with both games this season ending 1-1.
So, according to UEFA Champions League point eight, Benfica finished ahead of PSG because they scored more away goals.
Benfica scored nine of their 16 goals on the road, while PSG only scored six times.
Sorting Rules for the UEFA Champions League
These rules apply to the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Europa Conference League as well.
When two or more teams finish with the same number of points in a group table, the following methods are used to divide them:
Head-to-head points between teams that are tied.
Goal difference between teams that are tied.
Goals scored in head-to-head matches between teams that are tied.
Away goals scored in head-to-head matches between teams that are tied.
If more than two teams are tied and, after applying all of the above head-to-head criteria, a subset of teams remains tied, all of the above head-to-head criteria are reapplied exclusively to this subset of teams.
Goal difference in all group matches.
Goals scored in all group matches
Away goals were scored in all group matches.
All group matches are won.
All group matches were won on the road.
Fewest disciplinary points (red card = 3 points, yellow card = 1 point, expulsion for two yellow cards in one match = 3 points).
UEFA club coefficient
An action shot from a 1-1 draw between PSG and Benfica in October 2022.
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