24 Aug 2026
How extra time works in football
Extra time is the additional period used to determine a winner when a knockout match ends level. It is not automatic in every tournament: each competition’s regulations specify whether extra time or a straight penalty shootout will be used.
What is extra time?
Extra time is an additional period played after the regulation 90 minutes when a match that must produce a winner is level. It is mainly used in knockout matches, such as finals and one-off ties. In league competitions, a draw normally brings the match to an end.
How long does it last?
In professional football, extra time lasts 30 minutes, split into two 15-minute periods. There is a short interval between the periods, and the teams change ends before the second period. Stoppage time may be added to each period for delays, substitutions, medical treatment or time-wasting during restarts.
When is it used?
The competition determines the tiebreaker. In many tournaments, a draw after 90 minutes leads straight to penalties. In others, extra time is played before the shootout. In two-legged ties, the aggregate score is usually considered first. If the aggregate score is level, the regulations may provide for extra time in the second leg, penalties or another tiebreaker.
What happens if the match remains level?
If neither team wins after the 30 additional minutes, the match usually goes to a penalty shootout. Each team takes five alternating penalties. If the scores are still level after five kicks each, sudden death begins: both sides take one kick per round, and the winner is the team that gains an unassailable lead after the same number of attempts.
Rules during extra time
Extra time follows the normal Laws of the Game: cautions received during the 90 minutes remain in effect, sending-offs leave the team with one fewer player, and VAR may intervene where the competition uses it. Substitutions depend on the regulations. Many tournaments allow an additional substitution in extra time, on top of those permitted during normal time.
Golden goal and silver goal
Today, the most common approach is to play the full 30 minutes, even if one team scores before the end. In the past, some competitions used the golden goal, which ended the match as soon as a goal was scored in extra time. The silver goal was also used, with the match ending at half-time if one team was ahead. Both rules have been abandoned in elite football.
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Analysis: PK Sport · our methodology
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