If a Football Match is Tied After 90 Minutes
After 90 Minutes: What Happens When a Football Match is Tied?
In football, games usually end in 90 minutes. But if the score is still tied, what happens next? This often happens, and the rules can change based on the game and the competition’s rules. Let’s look at what happens when a match ends in a tie after 90 minutes.
Understanding the Basics: Regular Time and Added Time
A normal soccer game lasts for two 45-minute halves, totaling 90 minutes of gameplay. Sometimes, extra time, called added or injury time, is added to make up for any breaks in the game. But, if the match still ends in a tie after 90+ minutes, what then happens?
Extra Time: The First Step to Breaking the Tie After 90 minutes
In knockout stages of tournaments and other decisive matches, extra time is employed to resolve ties. This consists of two 15-minute halves, creating a potential total of 30 additional minutes of play. If the match remains tied at the end of extra time, other methods are used to determine the winner.
The Golden Goal and Silver Goal Rules
Historically, FIFA experimented with the golden goal and silver goal rules to encourage decisive play during extra time.
- Golden Goal: The first team to score during extra time wins the match immediately.
- Silver Goal: The team leading at the end of the first half of extra time wins the match.
These rules have since been discontinued in favor of the full extra time period.
Penalty Shootouts: The Ultimate Decider
- Initial Five Penalties: Each team selects five players to take a penalty shot. The team with the most goals after these five rounds wins.
- Sudden Death: If the score remains tied, the shootout enters a sudden death phase. Teams continue to alternate shots, and the first team to gain a lead after both have taken an equal number of shots wins.
Key Considerations for Teams and Coaches
Running a game that goes longer than usual needs careful planning. Coaches need to choose when to switch players, make sure they’re fit, and mentally ready for the stress of a penalty shootout. Players usually get extra training to improve their game in these important situations.
FAQs
1. Can a football match end in a draw after extra time?
Yes, if it’s a league match or a group stage match where a draw is an acceptable result.
2. How long does a penalty shootout last?
It lasts as long as needed to determine a winner, with no fixed time limit.
3. What happens if all players take a penalty and the score is still tied?
If all players, including goalkeepers, have taken penalties and the score remains tied, the shootout restarts from the first player, following the same sequence.
4. Can a team change the goalkeeper for a penalty shootout?
Yes, teams can substitute a goalkeeper before or during the shootout if they have available substitutions.
5. What if a player is injured during extra time?
Teams can make substitutions, including an additional one if the match goes to extra time, subject to competition rules.
Conclusion
Understanding what happens when a football match is tied after 90 minutes is essential for fans, players, and coaches alike. Extra time and penalty shootouts add layers of excitement and strategy, ensuring that every match reaches a thrilling conclusion. Whether it’s the drama of a last-minute goal in extra time or the nerve-wracking tension of a penalty shootout, these moments are what make football the beautiful game.
Usually I don’t read article on blogs, however I would like to say that this write-up very compelled me to try and do it! Your writing style has been amazed me. Thanks, quite nice article.