From the knockout rounds onward, if a match ends in a draw, it will go to extra time and, if needed, penalties to decide the winner.
The world’s 32 top women’s teams will converge in Australia and New Zealand from July 20 to contest the ninth edition of the Women’s World Cup. The format features eight groups of four teams each, with the top two from every group advancing to the round of 16. The knockout stages then unfold in a traditional single-elimination bracket, where each match must produce a winner to move forward.
What happens if a final-stage match in the 2023 Women’s World Cup ends level?
Starting with the round of 16, any drawn match is decided by two 15‑minute halves of extra time. If the teams remain tied after extra time, the winner is determined by a penalty shootout. The two periods of extra time are completed in full, regardless of whether a goal is scored. This edition does not use a golden goal rule.
Fans can expect tense moments and dramatic shifts as teams push to break the deadlock before the clock runs out. The knockout phase tends to amplify emotions, with every goal carrying a heavier weight and every mistake potentially deciding a team’s fate. The pace accelerates, and the pressure rises as national pride, qualification to the next round, and the dream of lifting the trophy collide on the field.
History offers a glimpse of what lies ahead. In the previous edition hosted by France in 2019, the United States captured the title, and extra time played a pivotal role in several fixtures. In that tournament, matches went to extra time three times, and in one of those, the outcome was settled by penalties after the extra minutes could not break the deadlock. Those moments underscore how common and consequential extra time can be in this tournament, especially in the intensity of knockout football where everything rests on a single match at a time.
Overall, the knockout stage promises a blend of strategic caution and bold, decisive play. Teams weigh the risks of expending energy in extra time against the immediate need to secure a win. Coaches may adjust at halftime to balance defense with attacking intent, knowing that a penalty shootout lurks if the extra period ends still tied. For supporters, the format ensures a compelling narrative that can shift in a heartbeat—turning defense into offense and vice versa in a heartbeat.
Citation: Goal