Golden Goal

The golden goal or golden point is a method used in association football, field hockey, ice hockey and korfball to decide the winner of games in elimination matches which end in a draw after the end of regulation time. It is a type of sudden death. Golden goal rules allow the team that scores the first goal during extra time to be declared the winner. The game finishes when a golden goal is scored. Introduced formally in 1992, though with some history before that, the rule was abandoned from the majority of FIFA authorized games in 2004. The similar silver goal supplemented the golden goal between 2002 and 2004.

The golden goal is still used at the Beach Soccer World Cup, in NCAA matches and by FIH sanctioned field hockey games. A related concept is used in National Rugby League games. A similar golden goal rule is also used in all National Hockey League (NHL) overtime games (followed by a shootout if needed, in the regular season and preseason), however the term 'golden goal' is not used. A golden goal rule is also present in the National Football League (only if a touchdown or safety is scored first on the first possession), although again, the term itself is not used.