As the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup enters its knockout stage, fans around the world are eager to understand what happens if a match ends in a draw. The tournament’s second round — which includes the Round of 16 — follows a clear format designed to produce a winner on the day.
Do matches go straight to penalties?
No, they don’t. In the second round of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, if a match is tied at the end of 90 minutes of regulation time, it does not go directly to penalties. Instead, the match proceeds to extra time.
How does extra time work?
Extra time consists of two 15-minute halves, adding 30 minutes of play to give both teams a chance to find a winner. During this period, teams are allowed to make an additional substitution beyond the regular allotment.
What if there’s still no winner?
If the score remains tied after extra time, the match will be decided by a penalty shootout. This ensures that each knockout match has a clear result, allowing one team to advance to the next round.
What about other rounds?
The same format applies not only in the second round but also in the quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final of the tournament.
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Summary:
In the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup second round, tied matches first go to extra time before heading to penalties if necessary — there’s no “straight to penalties” rule at this stage.
