Each game of the World Cup has so far eclipsed 100 minutes after FIFA imposed new stoppage time rules for the tournament.
England both scored and conceded after the 90th minute against Iran whilst Netherlands capped off their own 2-0 victory against Senegal with a goal sealing the win in stoppage time too.
It has followed a trend in the opening days though with every game so far having at least 10 minutes extra played after the allotted 90. This is something fans should get used to, especially after former referee Pierluigi Collina explained that officials were going to be adding more time consistently.
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Speaking ahead of Qatar 2022, Collina said that spectators should expect “seven or eight added minutes” in each half as FIFA attempt to increase the time that the ball is in play.
On average the ball is active for approximately 60 minutes, with recent Premier League matches stooping as low as 54. Given fans pay large amounts of money to get to and watch matches, the response has been to increase the time that the real action can take place.
Collina added: “This is nothing new, in Russia, it became quite normal for the fourth official to show the board with seven, eight, nine minutes on it.” That tournament was longer than previous iterations but is still much shorter than the 100 minute breaking streak at Qatar so far.
Argentina were left chasing against Saudi Arabia at 2-1 down and saw 14 minutes added on in the second half alone. Even that was not enough time to score a second goal, however, as their opponents held on to secure one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history.
That total took the overall added time for the World Cup to beyond 90 minutes, another game being played, in effect.
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