Penalty shootout rules, explained: how a tie is finally settled
Five kicks each, then sudden death — plus who can take them, where the goalkeeper must stand, and the ABBA experiment that was tried and dropped.
The basic format
When a knockout match is level after extra time, it goes to a penalty shootout. Each team takes five penalties, alternating, and whoever scores more wins. Crucially, the shootout can end early: if one team is already too far ahead for the other to catch up, it stops immediately rather than taking pointless kicks.
Sudden death
If the teams are level after five kicks each, it moves to sudden death: one pair of kicks at a time, and the first team to lead after both have taken theirs wins. There is no set end — it can run through the entire team. Every eligible player must take a kick before anyone can take a second.
The rules of a kick
Kicks are taken from the penalty spot, one shooter against the goalkeeper. The keeper must keep at least part of one foot on or in line with the goal line until the ball is kicked, and cannot come rushing off the line early. The ball is dead once the kick is complete — there are no rebounds to score from.
Who takes them, and the ABBA trial
Only players on the pitch at the final whistle can take part, and teams must even up numbers if one has more players than the other. The order is normally alternating (ABAB). Football briefly trialled an ABBA order — like a tennis tiebreak, to reduce the advantage of going first — but it was found unpopular and dropped, so the classic alternating format remains.