Goal difference is a crucial tiebreaker in league standings when teams have the same number of points. It is calculated by subtracting the total number of goals a team has conceded from the total number of goals they have scored throughout the season. A positive goal difference indicates that a team has scored more goals than they have conceded, while a negative goal difference indicates the opposite.
Goal difference is used to determine the ranking of teams in the league table when they are tied on points. Teams with a higher goal difference are typically ranked higher in the standings, as it is considered a more accurate reflection of a team's overall performance and attacking prowess compared to just looking at the number of goals scored.