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Jk4 doesn't sound right, so I'm sticking with Jk3 for now: If it was a league game, 2-2 would have been a draw. If it was a single-match tournament or cup, 2-2 would have led to overtime (and a penalty shootout if no further goals were scored). The format of the Champions League knockout rounds (quarters and semis) is two matches, home and away, to see which team advances. The rules specify that if the aggregate score is even after both matches are finished, then the team that scored more away goals (when they were playing 'on the road') gets to advance. It is called the "away-goal rule", and it only applies if neither team totals more goals than the other over the course of two legs. Since Porto scored 2 goals at ManYoo, they have an advantage heading into the second leg at their stadium. If the second leg finishes 0-0 or 1-1, then the total score will be even and Porto will advance on the away goal rule. A scoreline of 3-3 in the second leg would see the manks through on the away goal rule. 2-2 in the second leg would mean overtime.
Here's an example of why many people, myself included, find the away goal rule thrilling: If ManUtd. lead 1-0 in the second leg, let's say in the 78th minute next week, they would be desperate not to concede a goal, since a 1-0 win would see them through to the semis based on a 3-2 aggregate scoreline for the two matches. So the manks would be winning. But here come Porto on the attack! They rattle a shot off the crossbar, inches away from a goal that would have put them into the lead because 3-3 on aggregate is all Porto because of the away-goal rule! The ball rebounds to the top of the penalty area, where Mariano fires a rocket that beats van der Sar at his near post, and Porto suddenly "lead" 3-3 on aggregate! Now Porto defends like mad, and they advance when it ends 1-1 (3-3 aggregate) because Porto have 2 away goals and United only one away goal. With that one goal, Porto went from losing to winning, with no draw in between, thanks to the away-goal rule. And that's my prediction of how Porto will advance next week.
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2-2 Porto wins. Whata crazy game!!!!
and 
Well the scum certainly didn't win, though they, as usual, were counting their goals before the fat lady blew the whistle! I was actually in the street after the scum went 2-1 up, and I heard great cheers from several neighbours' houses, which I suspected was the Porto equaliser! Love it!!
Some thing like that, Roger!
The bottom line is 0-0, 1-1 or a win for Porto in Porto next week puts the manks out. And having conceded 10 goals in their last 4 games makes the manks look like losers to me. Come on Porto!!
We're all off to Anfield tomorrow to the tie of the round - live, in the stadium, in front of 40,000 mad kopites (without the benefit of action replays) - there's no armchair fans here.
Come on you Mighty Reds!!
Iechyd da! John
23:07 07/04/2009 BST| -
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