Gólkülönbség

Gólkülönbség is a Hungarian term that translates to "goal difference" in English. It is a crucial tie-breaking criterion in many sports, particularly in team sports like football (soccer), ice hockey, and handball. When two or more teams finish a competition with the same number of points, the goal difference is often used to determine their final standings.

The goal difference is calculated by subtracting the total number of goals scored against a team from the total number of goals scored by that team over the course of the competition. For example, if a team scores 20 goals and concedes 15 goals, their goal difference is +5. If another team scores 18 goals and concedes 18 goals, their goal difference is 0. A team with a higher goal difference is considered to have performed better overall, even if they have the same points as a team with a lower goal difference.

In league formats, if teams are tied on points, the team with the superior goal difference will be ranked higher. This system encourages teams to not only win matches but also to score as many goals as possible and concede as few as possible, thereby promoting more attacking and defensively sound play. In some competitions, if the goal difference is also tied, other tie-breaking methods such as goals scored, head-to-head records, or even penalty shootouts may be employed.