aggregate in soccer

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrasesportBritish

   The combined score from both legs of a two-match tie, used to decide which team goes through.

   Grammar: Used mainly in British reporting about cup ties; American writers usually just say the total score.

   Patterns

   • win on aggregate
   • lead on aggregate
   • lose on aggregate
   • an aggregate score of something

   They lost the second leg 2-1 but went through 4-3 on aggregate.

   After a 1-1 draw in the first leg, the tie is level on aggregate.

   The club advanced with a 5-2 aggregate win over its rivals.

2. 2phrasefixed phrasesport

   The running total of goals scored by each team across both matches of a tie.

   Grammar: Often followed by a score: level on aggregate, ahead on aggregate.

   Patterns

   • be level on aggregate
   • be ahead on aggregate
   • be behind on aggregate

   At halftime they were still level on aggregate.

   Two late goals put them ahead on aggregate for the first time.

   The away goal rule used to settle ties that were level on aggregate.

Common combinations

on aggregate

The two matches finished 3-3 on aggregate.

aggregate score

The aggregate score over two legs was 6-2.

aggregate win

It was a comfortable aggregate win for the home side.

level on aggregate

With ten minutes left, the teams were level on aggregate.

advance on aggregate

They advanced on aggregate despite losing the second leg.

Synonyms and how they differ

total score

A general way to say the same thing; use it when you are not talking about a two-leg tie.

combined score

Emphasizes adding the two matches together, and works in any sport.

Word family

aggregate noun

A total formed by adding separate amounts together.

aggregate adjective

Used before a noun to mean combined or total, as in aggregate demand.

Commonly confused: aggregate in soccer or average?

Practice

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