What was the golden goal rule in the World Cup and when was it abolished? What about the “Silver Goal”?

The Golden Goal rule has always succeeded in dividing opinion when it existed.

Introduced in the 1990s by governing body FIFA, it was hoped the ruling would favor attacking football in extra time – but ended up doing the opposite.

What was the Golden Goal rule?

The system was simple: score the first goal in overtime and win the game.

FIFA began testing the system in youth matches as early as 1993, before it was introduced in senior international clashes at the Olympics and Confederations Cup.

He decided the 1996 European Championship when Germany beat the Czech Republic thanks to Oliver Bierhoff’s goal.

France 98 was the first World Cup to use it, and the hosts were the benefactors in the Round of 16 against Paraguay.

Under the mark and as the South Americans looked likely to spoil the party, Laurent Blanc appeared with the dramatic winner.

And two years later, David Trezeguet won Euro 2000 with a golden goal against Italy.

The 2002 World Cup saw three golden goals with Senegal beating Sweden and South Korea beating Italy in the round of 16 with the rule.

Senegal then lost to Turkey in the quarter-finals of the same tournament.

But the rule simply wasn’t working as it was designed, and teams became increasingly defensive in overtime, fearful of conceding rather than being encouraged to attack.

When was it abolished?

FIFA attempted the silver goal in 2003 as an alternative, which would see teams leading after the first half of extra time winning the match.

This was also poorly received and they were forced to abandon the experiment.

After Euro 2004, the whole idea was dropped.