What Is Extra Time in Football? The 30 Minutes
On this page5
Extra time in football is two 15-minute halves — 30 minutes — played when a knockout match is level after 90 minutes. Teams change ends at the break, usually get one extra substitution, and each half has its own stoppage time. If the score is still level after extra time, the tie goes to a penalty shootout. It is used only in knockout football.
How extra time works
When a knockout game is tied after 90 minutes plus stoppage time, the match does not end in a draw — it goes to extra time. The two teams play a further 15 minutes, swap ends, then play another 15. The full 30 minutes is always played out; a goal does not end it early. Fresh legs matter, which is why most competitions grant a sixth substitution just for this period.
When it is used — and when it isn’t
| Competition type | Level after 90? |
|---|---|
| League match | Ends as a draw — no extra time |
| Cup / knockout tie | Extra time, then penalties |
| Two-legged tie (aggregate level) | Extra time in the second leg |
| Final | Extra time, then penalties |
Extra time only exists because a knockout must produce a winner. In a league, a draw is a perfectly acceptable result, so there is nothing to settle.
If extra time still can’t separate them
Play the full 30 minutes and stay level, and the match is decided by a penalty shootout. That sequence — 90 minutes, then 30 minutes of extra time, then penalties — is why a single knockout tie can stretch past two hours and still hinge on a shootout.
The golden-goal experiment
From the mid-1990s to 2004, football tried the “golden goal”: the first team to score in extra time won instantly. A short-lived “silver goal” ended the game at the next half-time if a team led. Both were abandoned because they made teams defend nervously rather than attack, and the sport returned to the full two-half format used now.
Extra time in the bigger picture
Extra time sits between regulation and the shootout as football’s first tie-breaker, and it interacts with rules like the fading away-goals rule. Knowing how it works explains the drama of cup nights and finals. For more of the game’s rules, see our football guides and the offside rule.
Frequently asked questions
How long is extra time in football?+
Extra time is 30 minutes, split into two halves of 15 minutes each, with a short break to change ends in between. Each half also has its own stoppage time added by the referee, so extra time in practice runs a little longer than 30 minutes. It is played in full — unlike the old golden-goal rule, the game does not end the moment someone scores.
When is extra time played?+
Extra time is played only in knockout matches that are level after 90 minutes plus stoppage time — cup finals, tournament knockout rounds, and playoff games. It is never used in a normal league fixture, where a tie simply ends as a draw and both teams take a point. Some two-legged ties also go to extra time if the aggregate score is level after the second leg.
What happens if extra time ends in a draw?+
If the score is still level after both 15-minute halves of extra time, the match is decided by a [penalty shootout](/penalty-shootout-explained/). Extra time and the shootout are the two tie-breakers used, in that order, so a knockout game can run 90 minutes, then 30 minutes of extra time, and still need penalties to produce a winner.
Can you make substitutions in extra time?+
Yes. Competitions that allow five substitutions in normal time generally grant one additional substitution for extra time, giving teams a sixth change to bring on fresh legs for the extra 30 minutes. Managing that extra sub, and the physical toll of the added period, is a big part of knockout tactics.
What was the golden goal rule?+
The golden goal was a rule used from the 1990s to 2004 where the first team to score in extra time won instantly and the game ended — 'sudden death.' A 'silver goal' variant briefly ended the game at the next half-time if a team was ahead. Both were scrapped because they made teams play too cautiously, and extra time reverted to the full two halves used today.
What's the difference between extra time and stoppage time?+
They are completely different. [Stoppage time](/what-is-stoppage-time-in-football/) is the few minutes a referee adds to the end of each normal 45-minute half to recover time lost to delays. Extra time is a separate 30-minute period played only when a knockout game is level after 90. Extra time even has its own stoppage time added to each of its halves.
Do away goals count in extra time?+
It depends on the competition. Historically some two-legged ties used the [away-goals rule](/away-goals-rule-football/) during extra time, meaning goals scored away counted double as a tie-breaker. Many major competitions, including UEFA club tournaments, have since abolished the away-goals rule, so extra time now simply leads to penalties if it stays level.
Sources
Play & tools
Free browser games and tools — no account, no download.
- Play 38-0 — Sign a 4-4-2 of all-time football legends and chase a perfect 38-0 league season — perfect, not just unbeaten.
- Explore all our games →
Related football guides
View all →
Penalty Shootout Rules Explained (Football)
A penalty shootout decides a tied knockout match: teams take five penalties each, alternating, and the side with more goals wins. If level, it goes to sudden death.
What Is Stoppage Time in Football? (Added Time)
Stoppage time — also called added time or injury time — is the extra minutes the referee adds to the end of each half to make up for time lost during play.
What Is the Away Goals Rule in Football? How It Worked
The away goals rule broke ties in two-legged ties by counting goals scored away from home as extra weight. Here's how it worked and why UEFA scrapped it.
What Is a Derby in Football? Local Rivalry Matches
A derby in football is a match between two rival clubs, usually from the same city or region. Think the Manchester derby, El Clasico or the Merseyside derby.
What Is a False Nine in Football? The Role Explained
A false nine is a centre-forward who drops deep into midfield instead of staying up front, dragging defenders out of position and creating space for teammates.
What Is a Nutmeg in Football? (Panna)
A nutmeg in football is playing the ball through an opponent's legs and collecting it on the other side. Also called a 'panna,' it's one of the game's cheekiest skills.