How Soccer works

A goal is scored when the whole of the ball crosses the whole of the goal line between the posts and under the bar. One goal counts as one point — there is no equivalent of a touchdown or a three-pointer, which is why scorelines stay low and a single mistake can decide a match.

The field is a rectangle 100–110 m long and 64–75 m wide, marked with a halfway line, a centre circle, and a penalty area extending 16.5 m from each goal. Inside their own penalty area — and only there — the goalkeeper may handle the ball.

• Goals measure 7.32 m wide by 2.44 m high
• The penalty spot sits 11 m from the goal line
• Players wear shin guards; studs must not endanger opponents
• Goalkeepers wear a colour distinct from both teams and the officials

Two halves of 45 minutes are separated by a 15-minute interval. The referee adds stoppage time at the end of each half to compensate for substitutions, injuries and time-wasting. In knockout competitions a draw may lead to two 15-minute periods of extra time and then a penalty shoot-out.

• Five substitutions are permitted in most competitions
• The clock never stops — it runs continuously through the half
• Teams change ends at half time

Kicking, tripping, pushing, holding or handling the ball deliberately gives the opposition a free kick. A direct free kick can be scored straight from the spot; an indirect one must touch a second player first. A foul committed by the defending team inside its own penalty area concedes a penalty kick.

• Yellow card — a caution for a reckless foul or dissent
• Red card — dismissal for serious foul play, violent conduct, or a second yellow
• A sent-off player is not replaced; the team plays a man short

An attacker is offside if, at the moment a teammate plays the ball, they are nearer to the opponents' goal line than both the ball and the second-last defender, and they then become involved in the play. The rule stops forwards from simply loitering by the goal and forces attacks to be built rather than lobbed.

• There is no offside from a throw-in, corner or goal kick
• Being in your own half is never offside
• Being level with the second-last defender is onside

When the ball leaves the field the restart depends on who touched it last and which line it crossed. Over the touchline it is a throw-in; over the goal line off an attacker it is a goal kick; over the goal line off a defender it is a corner.

A referee on the pitch is supported by two assistant referees on the touchlines, who judge offside and ball-out-of-play, and a fourth official managing substitutions. Since 2018 the Video Assistant Referee reviews goals, penalties, red cards and mistaken identity, intervening only for clear and obvious errors.