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World Cup Knockout Games: No Ties, Only Extra Time Drama!
30 Jun
Summary
- Tied World Cup games advance to 30 minutes of extra time split into two halves.
- Extra time is played in full, not sudden death, before penalty kicks.
- Only players on the field at the end of extra time can take penalty kicks.
In the intense World Cup knockout rounds, ties are not an option. If a match remains level after the initial 90 minutes and any stoppage time, the competition moves to a 30-minute extra time period.
This additional play is structured into two 15-minute halves. Crucially, neither sudden death nor the golden goal rule applies; the entire 30 minutes are played regardless of when a goal is scored. This ensures a full contest before resorting to a tie-breaking method.
Should the teams still be inseparable after the full extra time, the ultimate decider becomes a penalty shootout. Each team selects five shooters initially, with the highest scorer prevailing. If scores remain level, additional rounds proceed until a winner is determined by a one-goal margin. Eligibility for penalties is restricted to players who were on the pitch when extra time concluded.
