Soccer is unique among major global sports in that matches can often end in draws, especially during league or group-stage play. However, at the FIFA World Cup, there comes a stage where a winner must be decided. As the tournament progresses into its knockout rounds, ties are no longer acceptable outcomes. This is when extra time becomes a crucial part of the competition, adding intensity, strategy, and unforgettable drama to the world’s biggest football event.
What Is Extra Time and When Is It Used?
Extra time is a continuation of play used when a knockout match ends level after the standard 90 minutes of regulation. Instead of finishing as a draw, the game moves into an additional 30-minute period, divided into two halves of 15 minutes each.
This rule only applies during the elimination phase of the World Cup, beginning from the Round of 32 in the expanded 48-team format. In contrast, during the group stage, matches can still end in a draw, as teams earn points based on results rather than facing immediate elimination. The introduction of extra time ensures that every knockout match produces a clear winner, raising the stakes significantly as the tournament advances.
No Sudden Death but a Historic Twist
Unlike sports such as ice hockey, football does not use a sudden-death system in standard extra time. Even if a team scores early in the additional period, the match continues until the full 30 minutes are completed. This allows both sides a fair opportunity to respond and keeps the tactical battle alive throughout the entire period.
That said, the World Cup briefly experimented with a sudden-death concept known as the “Golden Goal.” Under this rule, the first team to score in extra time would immediately win the match. This format was used in the 1998 and 2002 tournaments. One of the most iconic Golden Goals came from Laurent Blanc, whose strike secured victory for France in 1998. Despite producing memorable moments, the rule was eventually abandoned due to its controversial impact on gameplay and team strategy.
What Happens After Extra Time?
If the score remains tied after the full 30 minutes of extra time, the match proceeds to a penalty shootout. This is one of the most nerve-wracking and dramatic elements in football, where players take turns attempting to score from the penalty spot.
Each team is given five initial attempts, and the side with the most successful kicks wins. If the teams are still level after these attempts, the shootout enters a sudden-death phase, where players continue taking penalties until one team gains a decisive advantage. This format has delivered some of the most iconic moments in football history.
A recent example came in the 2022 World Cup final, where Lionel Messi and Argentina triumphed over Kylian Mbappé and France after both extra time and penalties in what is widely regarded as one of the greatest finals ever played.
Extra time remains a defining feature of knockout football at the World Cup. It not only tests players’ physical endurance but also their mental strength and tactical discipline. In many cases, it is during these additional minutes that legends are made and historic victories are secured.
