Leagues Cup 2023 final: what happens in case of a tie?

Almost a third of the games during this edition of the Leagues Cup ended level. How will the final be decided if it ends in a draw?

Andy HallUpdate: Aug 19th, 2023 05:33 EDT

Kevin JairajUSA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

Of the 75 games played so far at the 2023 Leagues Cup, 22 of them ended level after 90 minutes – almost a third. The Round of 32 was the tightest stage of the tournament with seven of the 16 ties still tied on full-time. That tendency has diminished as the competition wore on, as all of the quarter finals and semi-finals were decided within regulation time.

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During the group stage of the competition, matches that were still tied after 90 minutes were decided in a standard penalty shoot-out – best of five, then sudden death if the two teams were still level after having taken five kicks each. The winners of the shoot-out were awarded two points while the losing team earned one point.

There’s been a couple of nail-biting moments – for example the matchday 1 game between León and Vancouver which at one point looked like it might never be settled. The shootout went to 38 penalties (19 each) before a winner was determined, the Mexicans edging it 16-15.

💥 Watch the full shootout between @MNUFC and @TolucaFC ⚽ pic.twitter.com/dU5nnLmBbM

— Leagues Cup (@LeaguesCup) August 9, 2023

Matches that end level in the knockout stages

The format is similar for all matches that end without a winner after 90 minutes in the knockout rounds. From the Round of 32 up to the final, all games that end level after 90 minutes of regulation time are decided in a penalty shoot-out. There is no extra-time or Golden Goal.

So if Saturday’s final between Inter Miami and Nashville SC is still tied when the referee blows for full-time, the trophy will be decided from the spot.

It all comes down to tomorrow.#EveryoneN pic.twitter.com/s7OJsfEQfo

— Nashville SC (@NashvilleSC) August 19, 2023

How have Inter Miami and Nashville fared in penalty shoot-outs in the Leagues Cup?

Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami have won all of the six games they have played in the 2023 Leagues Cup from Matchday 1 up to the semi-final. So none of their games were decided from the penalty spot.