Now, if a team scored in the first period of extra time, play would continue until half time in extra time, where if a team was leading, they would win the match. Similarly in the second period of extra time, a goal wouldn’t stop the match, but still allow time for a comeback.
Silver goals proved just as popular as the golden ones – and both Fifa and Uefa scrapped them after the 2004 European Championships, heading back to normal extra time.
Double golden goals
We can’t mention golden goals without looking back at the 1994 Caribbean Cup.
If you’re not familiar with this competition, you won’t quite believe the bizarre rule they introduced.
As part of the qualification, three-team group stage, organisers decided every game needed to have a winner, and that games would go to golden goal extra time. But, as a twist, any golden goals would be worth two goals – meaning a big boost to a team’s goal difference.
Ahead of the final group match between Barbados and Grenada, Barbados knew they needed to win by two goals to reach the main tournament. They were leading 2-0 when Grenada pulled one back in the 83rd minute.
Knowing a one-goal victory wasn’t enough, Barbados hatched a completely legal, but unique plan. Score an own goal, and take the game to extra time, where a golden goal would give them the two-goal win they needed.