Sudden death in football refers to a specific rule that is used to decide the outcome of a game when the regular playing time ends in a draw. It is also known as sudden death overtime or extra time.
In most football competitions, when the score is tied at the end of regulation time, an additional period of play, called extra time, is added to determine a winner. During extra time, the first team to score a goal is declared the winner, hence the term “sudden death” as the game ends immediately after a goal is scored.
The duration of sudden death overtime can vary depending on different competitions and regulations. It is commonly played in two halves of 15 minutes each, with a brief halftime break. If no team manages to score during this period, a penalty shootout may be used to determine the winner.
Sudden death can bring about heightened excitement and tension to the game, as teams strive to score that crucial winning goal. It adds an extra level of pressure and drama, as the outcome can be decided by a single moment of brilliance or a mistake.
It’s worth noting that not all football competitions use the sudden death rule. Some tournaments have different rules for tie-breaking, such as using the away goals rule or playing a replayed match in case of a draw.
For more information on this topic, you can refer to the official rules and regulations of the specific football competition you are interested in, such as FIFA (International Federation of Association Football) or the rules set by various national football associations.
Reference:
– FIFA Laws of the Game: [link]