In most games between the United States and Mexico, there’s very little to separate the two teams. One of their two friendlies since World Cup qualifying has ended in a draw, and they drew at Estadio Azteca in qualifying as well. In the event Saturday’s Confederations Cup playoff game ends in a tie, the two teams will have to go to extra time.
USA vs. Mexico overtime rules: How extra time and penalties work in the Confederations Cup playoff
Since these teams always play each other close, you might need this handy guide.
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Extra time consists of two 15-minute periods. The sides will play one 15-minute period, take a short break, then play the other 15-minute period. Both periods must be played in their entirety -- there is no golden goal. No matter how many times one team scores, the entire 30 minutes will be played.
If the USMNT and Mexico are still tied after 30 minutes of extra time, they’ll go to penalty kicks. Penalties are best of five, with teams alternating takers. They’ll shoot until it’s mathematically impossible for one team to win the best of five. If it’s still tied after five penalties, they’ll go to sudden death, alternating takers until one team scores and the other misses in the same round.
Teams are not granted extra substitutes in the extra time period. If a player is injured and all three subs have been used, that team will have to continue the match with fewer than 11 players.
