A match is 90 minutes over two halves, but what about stoppage time, extra time and penalties? A full explanation of the real duration.
An official football match lasts 90 minutes, split into two halves of 45 minutes each, with a break of up to 15 minutes between them. But the actual time on the pitch is usually longer.
Added (stoppage) time
The referee mentally tracks stoppages (injuries, substitutions, celebrations, VAR reviews), then adds stoppage time at the end of each half to compensate. That's why you see "+4" or more on the fourth official's board.
When is extra time played?
In knockout matches that end level, 30 minutes of extra time is played (two halves of 15 minutes). If it's still level, the match goes to a penalty shootout.
Penalty shootout
When still level after extra time, each team takes five penalties in turns, and whoever scores more wins. If still tied, it goes to "sudden death" until decided.
Bottom line
The minimum is 90 minutes, and in decisive knockout matches the total can reach around two hours with breaks, extra time and penalties. Follow match kickoff times to the minute on Shahid Live.
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