Cup Tie / Two-Legged Tie

A “cup tie” is a knockout match in a tournament (like the FA Cup or Champions League). A “two-legged tie” means teams play twice — home and away — with the aggregate score deciding who advances.

Example:

“The tie is level after the first leg.” means the teams are even heading into the second match.

Why It Matters

Cup ties bring unpredictability — lower-league teams can shock giants, and two-legged formats reward consistency and tactics across different atmospheres.

Everyday Comparison (U.S. Sports)

It’s like a playoff series condensed into two games — every goal matters double.