Extra Time & Penalties in Knockout Matches

Why Knockout Matches Need a Decider

League matches can end in a draw because a point for each side is a fair outcome. Knockout tournaments, however, exist to produce a winner who advances and a loser who goes home. A draw after 90 minutes leaves the tie unresolved, so competitions use extra time and penalties to force a result. The rules come from the International Football Association Board (IFAB), which writes the Laws of the Game followed worldwide. Understanding the structure helps you follow any cup tie, from a local final to a continental championship.

How Extra Time Works

Extra time is a full period of play split into two halves of 15 minutes each. There is a short break between the end of the 90 minutes and the start of extra time, usually a few minutes for players to get water and instructions. At the halfway point of extra time, the teams switch ends, just as they do at halftime. The referee adds stoppage time at the end of each 15-minute half to make up for injuries, substitutions, or time-wasting. If a team scores in extra time, the match does not stop; the other team can equalise, and the game continues until the full 30 minutes are played.

Why Some Competitions Use Golden Goal

You may have heard of the “golden goal” or “silver goal” rules. These were used in some major tournaments in the late 1990s and early 2000s. A golden goal meant the first team to score in extra time won immediately. A silver goal meant the team leading at the end of the first 15-minute half of extra time won. Both rules were abandoned because they encouraged overly cautious play, and fans felt they were unfair. Today, almost every competition plays the full 30 minutes of extra time regardless of goals scored. The only exception is some youth or recreational leagues that use a shorter format, but professional football follows the standard IFAB rule.

How a Penalty Shootout Works

If the score is still level after extra time, the match goes to a penalty shootout. The referee tosses a coin to decide which end the kicks will be taken at, and the team that wins the toss also chooses whether to kick first or second. Each team selects five players to take kicks, and the players alternate teams. The shootout is best of five kicks per team. If one team has scored more goals after both have taken five kicks, that team wins. If the score is still tied after five kicks each, the shootout goes to sudden death, where each team takes one additional kick until one scores and the other misses.

Key Rules of the Shootout

1. Only players on the pitch – Players who were sent off during the match cannot take part, and only players still on the field at the end of extra time are eligible. Substitutes, even unused ones, cannot take a kick unless they are on the pitch.
2. Each kick is taken from the penalty spot – The ball is placed on the penalty mark, 12 yards (11 metres) from the goal line. The goalkeeper must stay on the goal line until the ball is kicked.
3. The kicker cannot touch the ball twice – Once the kicker strikes the ball, they cannot play it again until another player touches it. If the ball rebounds off the post or goalkeeper, the kicker cannot score the rebound.
4. All other players stay in the centre circle – All players except the kicker and the defending goalkeeper must remain inside the centre circle, behind the penalty mark, and at least 9.15 metres (10 yards) from the ball.
5. The shootout is not part of the match – Goals scored in the shootout are not added to the match score. They only decide who advances. This is why a 1-1 draw after extra time can be listed as a 1-1 result with a note that the team won 4-2 on penalties.

What Happens If a Player Is Injured or Sent Off During the Shootout

If a player who is due to take a kick is injured during the shootout and cannot continue, the team can use a substitute, but only if they have not already used all their permitted substitutions. If a goalkeeper is sent off during the shootout, an outfield player must go in goal, and the team must continue with one fewer player. The shootout cannot be abandoned because of a lack of players, as long as a team has at least seven players on the field, which is the minimum required to start a match.

Common Misconceptions About Extra Time and Penalties

One common myth is that the away goals rule applies in extra time. In some two-legged ties, the away goals rule used to count extra time goals double, but this rule has been removed from most major competitions. Another misconception is that a team that scores in extra time automatically wins. That is only true under the golden goal rule, which is no longer used. People also think the shootout is a “lottery,” but it is a skill-based test of penalty taking and goalkeeping. Finally, some fans believe the team that kicks first has a big advantage. Studies have shown that the team kicking first wins slightly more often, but the difference is small, and the coin toss determines who goes first.

How Teams Prepare for Penalties

Teams often practise penalties before a big knockout match, but they cannot simulate the pressure of a real shootout. Coaches may analyse the opposition goalkeeper’s tendencies, such as which way they dive, and share that information with their players. Some teams have a designated list of five penalty takers, but the order can change based on who is still on the pitch and who is confident. Goalkeepers may use psychological tactics, like delaying the kick or moving on the line, but the referee can caution them for unsporting behaviour if they go too far.

Alternatives to Extra Time and Penalties

Not every competition uses extra time. Some tournaments, especially in youth football or pre-season friendlies, go straight to a penalty shootout after 90 minutes. Others use a “replay” system, where the teams play another match at a later date if the first game is a draw. This was common in the FA Cup for many years, but replays have been reduced in recent seasons. Another alternative is the “away goals rule” in two-legged ties, where a goal scored away from home counts double if the aggregate score is level. This rule has been abolished in most UEFA competitions, but it still exists in some domestic cups.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is extra time in football?

Extra time lasts 30 minutes in total, divided into two halves of 15 minutes each. There is a short break between the end of normal time and the start of extra time, and a brief halftime break after the first 15 minutes.

Can a match end during extra time if a team scores?

No, unless the competition uses the golden goal rule, which is no longer standard. In modern football, the full 30 minutes of extra time is always played, even if one team scores early.

How many penalties does each team take in a shootout?

Each team takes five penalties in the initial round. If the score is still level after both teams have taken five kicks, the shootout moves to sudden death, where each team takes one additional kick at a time until the tie is decided.

Can a player who was substituted during the match take a penalty?

No. Only players who are on the field at the end of extra time are eligible to take part in the shootout. Substituted players, even if they are on the bench, cannot take a kick.

What happens if a team has fewer than 11 players at the end of extra time?

The team continues with fewer players, and the shootout still takes place. The team must have at least seven players to continue. If a team has fewer than seven, the match is abandoned and the other team is awarded the win.

Does the away goals rule apply during extra time?

In most major competitions, no. The away goals rule has been removed from UEFA competitions and many others. In competitions that still use it, away goals scored during extra time may count double, but this is now rare.

Sources: The IFAB Laws of the Game. Menus and buttons can differ slightly by version. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.