What is the golden goal rule in soccer and is it still used?

Soccer is the most famous sport in the world, with millions of fans from every corner of the globe. Like most sports, it has rules and regulations that govern it to ensure fairness among its participants. Since the game's main objective is to have a winner, the golden goal rule was introduced to determine just that. However, due to changing times, the rule was removed and replaced with penalty kicks if the match ended in a draw in regular time.

Playing soccer has numerous advantages, from physical fitness to breaking down racial barriers by bringing people together from different cultures. Since its inception, the sport has undergone several changes, from introducing new rules to doing away with the old ones. So, what is the golden goal rule in soccer, and is it still used? Let us find out.

What is the golden goal rule?

The golden goal rule, also known as sudden death, is a directive used in soccer to determine the winner of a game if it ends in a draw. It states that the victor is the first team to net the first and only goal in the extra time.

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History of the FIFA golden goal rule

The sudden death was introduced by FIFA in 1993 in an effort to determine who takes home the day after the match ends level during the regular time. It was first used in 1996 in the European Championship and the MLS Cup, and its first use in the World Cup was in 1998.

Since then, the rule has featured in numerous FIFA competitions, including the Olympics and the Confederations Cup. The first recorded golden goal was in the World Youth Championship on 13 March 1993 in a quarter-final match between Australia and Uruguay.

In 2002, France won against Italy in extra time in the European Championship finals after David Trezeguet scored a golden goal. The nation became the first to win the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Championship since Germany in 1974.

During the 1995/96 season, Paul Tait went down in history as the first player to score such a goal in a major competition. The last official FIFA World Cup golden goal came in 2002 in a quarter-final match between Turkey and Senegal and was scored by İlhan Mansız.

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Is the golden goal rule still used in football?

As of February 2024, the sudden death regulation is no longer used, especially in official FIFA matches. Its downfall was imminent, and following the failed efforts with the Silver Goal in 2004, both were permanently eliminated. The classic 30-minute extra time format, consisting of two 15-minute halves, was reinstated during the 2006 World Cup.

Why was the golden goal rule abolished?

The sudden death directive was abolished since it did not create a more aggressive and active play than was initially planned; instead, it caused more cautious play and enraged reactions from many players on the losing side.

Additionally, there was uncertainty regarding when events could be selected from multiple extra-time options. It was removed from significant competitions after the 2002 FIFA World Cup after concerns over over-defensive playing and unnecessary extra-times.

When did the golden goal rule end?

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The sudden death and silver goal rule ended in February 2004 after it was decided by the International Football Association Board, IFAB, that the regulation was not meeting its original purpose and producing more difficulties than it addressed.

Since the end of the sudden death regulation, extra time has been divided into two halves of fifteen minutes each. Whether or not a goal is scored, the game continues until the second half's end. A penalty shootout determines the winner if the match ends in a draw.

When does the golden goal rule apply?

The sudden death regulation applies in knockout matches, such as quarter-finals, semi-finals, and finals of competitions, where a winner must be determined. During the extra time, the first team to net wins the match.

Best golden goal moments in history

The history of soccer is marked by incredible moments of sudden death. Some of the sport's most thrilling and dramatic endings have resulted from these situations. These are some of soccer's most famous examples of sudden-death moments.

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• UEFA Euro 2004 quarter-final - After extra time, the match between Greece and France was level at 1-1. However, Greece advanced to the semi-finals thanks to a sudden death score by Angelos Basinas in the 105th minute.
• FIFA World Cup 2002 Round of 16 - Italy and South Korea had a tight contest that concluded in extra time at 1-1. Ahn Jung-hwan scored the game-winning goal in the 117th minute to advance South Korea to the quarter-finals.
• UEFA Euro 2000 Final - In extra time, the match between France and Italy ended in a 1-1 draw. France won the game and the title thanks to a sudden death score by David Trezeguet in the 103rd minute.

• FIFA World Cup 1998 Round of 16 - Argentina and England were tied at 2-2 at the end of extra time, but due to David Beckham's dismissal for a foul in the 108th minute, Michael Owen scored the game-winning goal in the 113th to give England the win.
• UEFA Euro 1996 Semi-Final - After a 1-1 draw between England and Germany, Alan Shearer's game-winning goal in the 109th minute sent England to the championship game.

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Who invented the golden goal in football?

A Ghanaian football researcher, John Amoah, invented the sudden death goal to ensure that matches are won on fair ground. Even after abolishing the regulation, he has continued to argue that it has to be brought with significant modifications to the extra time to improve the game's aesthetic.

What other sports have used the golden goal rule?

Since its invention, various sports have applied the sudden death regulation to determine the match winner. Here are some of the sports that applied the directive;

• Field hockey
• Ice hockey
• Bandy
• Rugby
• Australian football

Frequently asked questions

The sudden death was designed to make extra time more intriguing for fans by having teams compete for a win rather than an easy penalty shootout. Here are some frequently asked questions about the directive.

What is the golden goal rule in FIFA 21?

In FIFA 21, the regulation is a simple idea that states that if you concede an opening goal of the game, you lose the game. Its objective is to score first and outshine your opponent.

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What is the silver goal in football?

The silver goal is quite similar to the standard extra time, except that the side leading halfway through the extra time wins. It was introduced as a result of dissatisfaction with the tie-breaking method of the sudden death. Here, teams have an additional 15 minutes to play, and the team with the most points wins.

Who scored the first goal in FIFA history?

The renowned French player Lucien Laurent has gone down in the history of FIFA as the first player to score a FIFA goal. He netted during the 1930 FIFA World Cup, and several other players have followed suit since then.

Final word

Over the years, the golden goal rule has been applied in several soccer tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup. Even though it is not used as often these days, it still plays a vital role in football and has influenced some of the biggest matches in history. Despite being abolished, some still contest that it needs to be reinstated to break ties and add beauty to the game.

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