How long is extra time in a football match?

Question

ChatBlog · Accepted Answer

Extra time, often referred to as "overtime" in some regions, is a crucial period in football (soccer) matches that need a definitive winner. Unlike the regular 90 minutes of play, extra time is specifically designed to break a tie.

Duration of Extra Time

In most competitive football matches, such as knockout rounds of tournaments (e.g., FIFA World Cup, UEFA Champions League, FA Cup), extra time consists of two periods of 15 minutes each. This means a total of 30 minutes of additional play.

Breakdown:

First Half of Extra Time: 15 minutes
Half-Time Interval: A short break, usually 1-5 minutes, allowing players to rehydrate and coaches to give instructions.
Second Half of Extra Time: 15 minutes

It's important to note that, just like in regular time, the referee will add injury time (or stoppage time) at the end of each 15-minute extra time period to compensate for delays such as substitutions, injuries, or goal celebrations. This means the actual playing time can extend slightly beyond the 30 minutes.

When is Extra Time Used?

Extra time is typically employed in matches where a draw is not a permissible outcome. This includes:

Knockout Stages of Tournaments: Where teams advance or are eliminated based on the result.
Cup Finals: To determine the champion.
Play-off Matches: To decide promotion, relegation, or qualification for other competitions.

What Happens if the Score is Still Level After Extra Time?

If the score remains tied after the full 30 minutes of extra time (plus any added injury time), the match proceeds to a penalty shootout. The penalty shootout is a separate mechanism to determine a winner and is not considered part of the "playing time" of the match itself.

Historical Context and Variations

Historically, there have been some variations in extra time rules:

Golden Goal: Introduced in the 1990s and early 2000s, this rule meant that the first team to score in extra time would immediately win the match, ending the game prematurely. It was used in tournaments like the FIFA World Cup and European Championship but was eventually abolished due to its perceived unfairness and tendency to lead to cautious play.
Silver Goal: A short-lived variation where if a team scored in the first 15-minute period of extra time, they would win only if they were still leading at the end of that first 15-minute period. If they were, the game would end. This also proved unpopular and was discontinued.

Currently, the standard two periods of 15 minutes is almost universally adopted by FIFA and major football associations worldwide.

Key Takeaways

Standard Duration: Two halves of 15 minutes each, totaling 30 minutes.
Purpose: To break a tie in knockout matches or finals.
Next Step: If still tied after extra time, the match goes to a penalty shootout.
No Golden/Silver Goal: These rules are no longer in use.