USA Vs. Japan, 2011 Women’s World Cup Final: Overtime Rules For 30 Minutes Of Extra Time

The Women’s World Cup final match between the U.S. Women’s National Team and Japan is headed to extra time, the soccer answer to overtime. Here’s a quick overview of those “overtime” rules:

After 90 minutes, if the score is tied, play will continue in two 15-minute extra time periods. There is no golden goal during these periods, meaning that even if a team scores, play will continue until the end of the second 15-minute extra time period.The USWNT is no stranger to coming back in extra time: against Brazil, the U.S. fell behind 2-1 in overtime after a Marta goal, then equalized on Abby Wambach’s 122nd-minute header, the latest goal in Women’s World Cup history.

If the score is still tied after both extra time periods, play continues with penalty kicks. The teams will alternate five attempts each from the penalty spot; the team with more goals through five kicks wins. If the teams are tied after five attempts each, play continues with rounds of one penalty kick each. The U.S. won its quarterfinal match against Brazil on penalty kicks, and won the 1999 Women’s World Cup on penalty kicks after a scoreless match against Japan.

For live updates throughout the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final, keep it on our World Cup Final StoryStream. Also taking place right now are the Copa America quarterfinals, so head over to our Brazil vs. Paraguay StoryStream for updates on that. For all kinds of coverage on world football, check out SB Nation Soccer.