Overview of Copa del Rey match rules and format
Matches last 90 minutes, and if the score is level at the end, the contest moves into extra time and, if needed, penalty kicks. There is no tiebreaker duel beyond these stages.
In the 2021-2022 Copa del Rey, the competition continues with the format introduced in 2019/20. Since last season, the tournament begins with a broad field of 116 teams drawn from different levels of Spanish football, a structure that expands opportunities for smaller clubs that have not previously featured in the tournament.
This page follows the same setup as in prior rounds: there is no tie-break after 90 minutes. Should the game be level at the end of regulation, play proceeds to 30 minutes of extra time. If the score remains tied after extra time, a penalty shootout decides the winner.
To reach the semi finals, five single-match rounds are staged: a first round, a second round, a round of 16, another round of 16, and the quarterfinals. The semi finals are unique in that they are the only stage played across two legs, home and away.
Tiebreak criteria: extra time and penalties
In this format, matches are hosted at the stadium of the lower-ranked club. If both teams come from the same tier, the hosting order is set by the initial draw sequence.
Away goals do not carry double value
Since there are no two-leg ties, away goals do not have extra weight when a match finishes level on the scoreboard.
How overtime and penalties are decided
If a match remains level after 90 minutes, the game goes into an additional 30 minutes of play, divided into two 15-minute halves. There is no break between extra time periods, and if the deadlock persists, a shootout determines the winner.
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Goal reports this framework as the official structure of the competition.