- Goal difference, followed by goals scored, are the two main criteria when teams are tied on points.
- These rules also help define the final standings of the tournament, from 5th to 16th place.
CONMEBOL Copa America United States 2024™ is a challenging tournament for all the participating teams, who face three consecutive matches in the Group Stage with the goal of qualifying for the Final Stages. When the six matches in each of the four groups of this edition are finished, the tie-breaking criteria defined by the Official Regulations will be decisive in defining the outcome of the competition.
The most important criteria taken into account is of course the results of the teams, who receive 3 points for a win, 1 for a draw and none for a defeat. The next is the best goal difference, i.e. the difference between the goals scored and conceded by each team: if it is the same for two teams, the one who has scored the most goals will have the advantage.
If the tie persists, only then is the direct confrontation between the teams considered, taking this list into account, in order
1) the points obtained in the matches involving both teams;
2) the goal difference considered in the matches in which the teams participate and
3) the goals scored in the matches in which the teams participate.
Disciplinary criteria also counts as tie-breaking criteria if the previous criteria does not resolve the tie. Therefore, the team that has received the fewest red cards in the period may be ahead in the standings, and subsequently, the yellow card count also benefits the team with better discipline.
Finally, if the tie persists after the application of the five previous criteria, a draw will be held to define the standings of the teams. This must be done in accordance with the conditions established by CONMEBOL, including the venue, date and time of the event.
The same rules will apply both for the definition of the final standings of the teams in the first phase (9th to 16th places), excluding direct head to head results. This is also the case for the definition of the 5th to 8th places (teams eliminated in the Quarterfinals) but, in this occasion, all the criteria (score, goal difference, cards) accumulated throughout the competition are taken into account, including the Final Stages results.
CONMEBOL™ Copa América tiebreakers (**)
- Highest amount of points won among the teams;
- Higher goal difference;
- Highest number of goals scored;
- Head to head record: (*):
- Highest number of points earned in games between the teams;
- Higher goal difference in games between the teams;
- Highest number of goals scored in games between the teams;
- Fewer red cards received;
- Fewer yellow cards received;
- Random Draw.
*Except when defining the final overall standings of the competition.
**For the definition of the 5th-8th positions, the accumulated numbers (points won, goal difference, etc.) of the Group Stage and the Quarterfinals are considered.
