After 90 minutes
If a World Cup knockout match is level after normal time, the applicable competition rules determine the winner. In the standard knockout procedure, teams play extra time: two equal periods of up to 15 minutes. The interval before extra time is short, and players normally remain on the field.
If the score is still tied
When extra time does not separate the teams, a penalty shoot-out determines which team advances. IFAB Law 10 sets out the framework for kicks from the penalty mark, including the initial five kicks per team and sudden-death sequence if the totals remain level.
Extra-time goals count; shoot-out kicks do not
Goals scored during extra time form part of the match score. Kicks in the shoot-out decide the winner but are not added to the match’s goal total. That is why a record can show a match as a draw followed by a parenthetical shoot-out score.
Group stage versus knockout stage
A group-stage match can finish level because points and group ranking decide who progresses across several fixtures. In a knockout match there is no second leg unless the competition format expressly provides one, so extra time and penalties supply the required winner. Always check the regulations for the specific tournament edition.
Primary references
Rules and platform policies can change. These links were checked on 2026-08-01.