Standard group stage tie breaker

In the standard group stage tiebreaker, the following criteria are used to determine the ranking of teams in the event of a tie:

  1. Points: The team with the most points in the group stage is ranked higher.
  2. Goal difference: If two or more teams are tied on points, the team with the better goal difference (i.e., the difference between the number of goals scored and conceded) is ranked higher.
  3. Goals scored: If two or more teams are tied on points and goal difference, the team that scored the most goals is ranked higher.
  4. Head-to-head result: If two teams are tied on points, goal difference, and goals scored, the team that won the head-to-head match between the two teams is ranked higher. If the head-to-head match was a draw, the next criterion is applied.
  5. Disciplinary record: If two or more teams are tied on all the above criteria, the team with the better disciplinary record (i.e., fewer yellow and red cards) is ranked higher.

These criteria are used in the following order:

  1. If a team is ranked higher than another team in the first criterion (points), it is not necessary to apply the subsequent criteria.
  2. If a team is ranked higher than another team in the second criterion (goal difference), it is not necessary to apply the subsequent criteria.
  3. And so on.

For example, let's say three teams are tied on points in a group stage:

In this case, Team A would be ranked higher than Team B and Team C because of its better goal difference.