The 2026 World Cup has reached its knockout stage, where ties are no longer allowed. For those new to soccer, extra time and penalty shootouts are brand new concepts. In the group stage, games were allowed to end in a draw, but now, a winner must be determined.
Extra Time
At the end of regulation in a tied game, the match goes to extra time. Extra time consists of two halves, each 15 minutes long, with a short break in between. Extra time is not sudden death, meaning a goal does not automatically end the match. Play continues through the full 120 minutes, plus stoppage time.
If one team is ahead when extra time ends, they win. If the match is still tied, it goes to a penalty shootout.
Penalty Shootout
For the shootout, each team picks five players to take alternating penalty kicks. The rules for a penalty kick include: kickers shooting the ball from the penalty spot, the ball being stationary before the kick, the goalkeeper remaining on the goal line until the kick, and the ball completely crossing the line for a goal.
Whichever team converts more penalty kicks wins. If the score remains tied after five kicks, the teams take one kick each until there’s a winner.
Local fans in Pacific Grove gathered at Cafe Guarani to watch the Paraguay vs. Germany match, which Paraguay won on penalty kicks. The victory brought the community together, with one fan saying, ‘It felt amazing… Soccer really brings everybody together.’
Original reporting: WLKY Louisville — read the source article.
