Extra Time and Penalties: How They Work
Learn how extra time and penalty shootouts work in football: duration, rules, and what happens if the match ends in a draw.
What happens if a match ends in a draw
Not all football matches can end in a draw.
In knockout competitions, when it is necessary to determine a winning team, the rules may provide for extra time and subsequently penalty shootouts.
When extra time is played
Extra time is played when a match must have a winner and the score is still tied at the end of regular time.
Its application depends on the competition's regulations.
How long extra time lasts
Extra time is normally divided into two periods of 15 minutes each.
The total duration is therefore 30 minutes, plus any added time decided by the referee.
- first extra time period: 15 minutes; - second extra time period: 15 minutes.
What happens if a team scores during extra time
If a team scores during extra time, the match continues normally until the end of the second extra time period.
The golden goal rule no longer exists, so a goal does not automatically end the match.
What happens if the tie remains
If the score is still tied after extra time and the regulations require a winning team, the match goes to penalty shootouts.
How penalty shootouts work
The two teams alternate shots from the penalty mark.
In a normal initial series, each team has the opportunity to take up to five penalties.
The team that scores more goals in the series wins.
Can the series end before five penalties each?
Yes.
If during the series one team gains an advantage that the opponent cannot recover with the remaining penalties, the series ends immediately.
Practical example
Imagine that after four penalties each the score is:
- Team A: 4 penalties scored; - Team B: 2 penalties scored.
If Team B has only one shot left, it cannot catch up to Team A.
The series ends without needing to take all ten initially planned shots.
What happens if after five penalties it's still tied
If both teams have scored the same number of penalties after the initial series, it goes into sudden death.
From then on, each team takes one shot each.
When one team scores and the other misses in the same round, the series ends.
Who can take penalties
Generally, players eligible according to the match rules at the end of play take part in the series.
Before a player can take a second penalty, normally all eligible teammates must have taken at least one shot.
Can the goalkeeper take a penalty?
Yes. The goalkeeper can be one of the players assigned to take a penalty during the shootout.
They can both attempt to save opponents’ shots and take a shot against the opposing goalkeeper.
Can the goalkeeper be substituted during penalties?
Substitution possibilities depend on the Laws of the Game and available substitutions.
Situations such as goalkeeper injury can be governed by specific rules.
Are a penalty during the match and a penalty shootout the same?
No.
A penalty awarded during the match counts toward the match result.
A penalty shootout is used to determine which team advances or wins when the result remains tied.
Do goals from the penalty shootout count toward the match result?
Usually, the shootout result is indicated separately from the score during play.
For example, a match can end 1-1 after extra time and one team can win 5-4 on penalties.
Why do some matches not have extra time?
The format depends on the competition's regulations.
Some tournaments may proceed directly to penalties after 90 minutes, others use extra time first.
Therefore, it is always necessary to check the specific competition regulations.
Extra time in two-legged matches
In ties played over two matches, advancement depends on the aggregate result as per the regulations.
If at the end of the second match the aggregate is tied, extra time and penalties may be applied.
Does the away goals rule still exist?
The away goals rule is not used in all competitions and its use has changed over time.
It is therefore important to always verify the current rules of the tournament.
How to follow extra time and penalties on Football17
On Football17 you can follow match status in real time, including key states related to extra time and penalties when available.
Match pages display the result, events, and updates about the match progress.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is extra time? Normally 30 minutes, divided into two 15-minute periods.
What happens if the score remains tied? If the regulations require it, the match goes to penalty shootouts.
How many penalties does each team take? The initial series allows up to five shots per team.
What happens if after five penalties it’s still tied? The shootout proceeds to sudden death with one penalty each until one team scores and the other misses in the same round.
Does the golden goal still exist? No. A goal scored in extra time does not automatically end the match.
Can the goalkeeper take a penalty? Yes, if they are among the eligible players for the shootout.