What Does an Own Goal Mean in Football?
An own goal in football occurs when a player accidentally or deliberately causes the ball to enter their own team’s goal, awarding the point to the opposing team. It is one of the most frustrating and memorable moments in soccer. The ball must fully cross the goal line between the posts and under the crossbar.
When recorded, an own goal appears with the notation (og) next to the credited player’s name on the scoresheet. This helps fans and statisticians distinguish it from a regular goal scored by an attacking player.
The concept of an own goal in football applies across all levels, from grassroots matches to the World Cup. Whether a defender mistimes a tackle or a goalkeeper misjudges a save, the result stays the same — the opposition gets the goal.
Per IFAB Law 10, a goal is scored when the whole ball passes over the goal line, between the posts, and under the crossbar. The same rule applies whether the ball is struck by a teammate or an opponent.
The rules around crediting and recording these incidents are more complex than they seem. FIFA guidelines, match officials, and statistical bodies all play a role in determining which player receives the credit.
Importantly, these goals do not count toward a player’s seasonal or career totals. No assist is awarded on such a goal either. These rules keep individual scoring records accurate and fair across professional football and soccer competitions worldwide.
How Does an Own Goal Work in Football?
Scoring an own goal seems simple, but crediting and recording one is surprisingly complex. The sections below explain how officials attribute own goals and clarify where deflections become actual own goals.
How Are Own Goals Credited to Players?
The referee or match commissioner initially decides which player is credited with a goal during a match. In English football, the sports data company Opta makes the initial determination, reviewing each scoring play in real time to identify whether the ball last touched an attacker or a defender.
However, that initial call is not always final. The Premier League has a Dubious Goals Committee that reviews disputed goals and can change the attribution after examining match footage. UEFA formalized its own review procedure in 2008, ensuring consistent rulings across European competitions and major tournaments.
Notably, the IFAB Laws of the Game do not actually stipulate rules for crediting goals to individual players. Such records are not compulsory. They are maintained for commercial reasons, including top scorer awards and fantasy football leagues that depend on accurate goal attribution.
In 1997, FIFA issued detailed guidelines recognizing the commercial importance of goal statistics. These guidelines stated that a defender’s intervention must be deliberate for an own goal to be registered against them, providing a consistent standard for data providers worldwide.
Because attribution affects individual honors like the Golden Boot, the review process carries real significance. A goal reassigned from one player to another can change award winners, career statistics, and fantasy football scores, making accurate crediting essential for players, clubs, and fans alike.
Deflections vs. Own Goals: What’s the Difference?
The distinction matters in own goal soccer analysis: if an attacker’s shot is already on target and a defender’s touch barely changes its path, the goal belongs to the attacker, not the defender.
If a defender attempts to clear the ball or makes a deliberate intervention that redirects it into the net, the goal is recorded as an own goal. FIFA’s 1997 guideline states a defender’s intervention must be deliberate for an own goal to be registered against them. This is why data providers like Opta review each case carefully.
| Scenario | On Target? | Deflection Type | Credited To |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shot hits defender’s leg, direction unchanged | Yes | Negligible | Attacker |
| Defender slides to clear, ball goes in | No | Deliberate intervention | Defender (own goal) |
| Shot hits post, rebounds off goalkeeper’s back | Yes | Involuntary contact | Goalkeeper (own goal) |
| Defender intercepts cross, mishits into net | No | Deliberate intervention | Defender (own goal) |
A famous example is the 2013 Tim Howard controversy. The Premier League credited the Everton goalkeeper with an own goal when a shot hit the post, bounced off his back, and went in — even though he never deliberately intervened.
Key Takeaway
A deflection credits the attacker; a deliberate defensive touch that sends the ball into the net credits the defender. The decision hinges on whether the defender’s intervention was intentional.
Own Goal Rules and Key Facts
The IFAB Laws of the Game set clear rules about scoring an own goal in football. A goal is valid only when the whole ball crosses the goal line between the posts and under the crossbar, according to IFAB Law 10. However, not every restart allows a team to score against itself, as specific exclusions exist.
Under the IFAB Laws of the Game, own goals cannot be scored directly from several types of restarts. If the ball enters a team’s own net directly from one of these restarts, the referee does not award a goal. Instead, a corner kick is given to the attacking team to resume play.
- Kick-off
- Goal kick
- Throw-in
- Corner kick
- Free kick (direct or indirect)
- Dropped ball
In 2016, the IFAB updated the Laws of the Game to explicitly state that a player cannot score an own goal directly from a corner kick. This important change closed a loophole that had previously caused confusion among referees, players, and fans across the entire football community.
A penalty kick could theoretically produce an own goal, but it would require extraordinary circumstances. Since the ball must be kicked forward, it is extremely unlikely to travel into the taker’s own net. A significant deflection off the goalkeeper or another player on the pitch would be needed.
An own goal does not count toward a player’s seasonal or career goalscoring total. No assist is awarded on an own goal either. This ensures the scoring attribution stays completely separate from a player’s official statistics and individual achievements in both domestic and international football competition.
These rules protect the integrity of soccer matches and prevent bizarre scenarios from unfairly penalizing players and teams. The clear distinction between a valid own goal and an excluded restart ensures fairness across all levels of competition. Referees must know these specific provisions well to officiate matches correctly.
ℹ️ Key Takeaway
A goal directly from any of these restarts is never counted. A corner kick goes to the attacking team instead, keeping play fair and consistent.
Famous Own Goals in Football History
Some of the most memorable moments in soccer and football history involve players scoring against their own team. These incidents range from deeply tragic to utterly bizarre, leaving lasting marks on the sport’s record books worldwide.
Andrés Escobar scored a devastating own goal in football history for Colombia against the USA at the 1994 World Cup. His deflection into his own net contributed to Colombia’s elimination from the tournament. Tragically, Escobar was murdered just 10 days later in his hometown of Medellin.
⚠️ A Tragic Reminder
The Escobar story shows how football results can carry consequences far beyond the pitch. His death remains the darkest chapter in World Cup history, reminding us that the game’s stakes extend into real life.
Richard Dunne holds the all-time record with 10 career own goals, a mark no defender has ever matched. The Irish centre-back’s unfortunate tally spans multiple Premier League seasons across his long career, cementing his place in football folklore for all the wrong reasons.
Pat Kruse owns the fastest own goal record, scoring just 8 seconds into a match. Playing for Torquay United against Cambridge United in January 1977, Kruse accidentally turned the ball past his own goalkeeper almost immediately after the initial kick-off, stunning everyone in attendance.
In the 1994 Caribbean Cup, Barbados deliberately scored against themselves to force extra time. Unusual tournament rules made goals in extra time worth double, so Barbados needed a two-goal margin to advance. They tied the game late, then won decisively in the added period.
In a Madagascar league match, SO Emyrne deliberately scored 149 times against themselves versus AS Adema. The resulting 149-0 scoreline stands as the biggest loss in top division football history. Players protested a disputed refereeing decision by repeatedly blasting the ball into their own net.
Each of these moments highlights how unpredictable and emotionally charged the sport can be. From world-stage tragedy to record-breaking absurdity, they remain permanently etched in football’s collective memory for generations of fans.
Common Misconceptions About Own Goals
Several myths surround the concept of a player scoring into their own net in football. Fans often misunderstand how these incidents are credited, whether assists apply, and how they affect individual player records. Clearing up these misconceptions helps explain the rules properly.
- An own goal counts as a goal for the player who scored it — this is false. These goals are excluded from a player’s seasonal and career totals entirely, meaning they never inflate a striker’s individual statistics.
- An assist is awarded to the last attacking player who touched the ball before it went in — no assist is awarded on these incidents under any circumstances, regardless of how the ball entered the net.
- Any deflection into the net automatically counts as one — only deliberate or significant deflections count. If the original shot was on target and took a minor touch, the attacking player receives credit for the goal instead.
- You can score from any restart — per the IFAB Laws of the Game, you cannot score directly from kick-offs, goal kicks, throw-ins, corner kicks, free kicks, or dropped balls. Instead, a corner kick is awarded to the attacking team.
- These incidents affect a player’s goal-scoring records for major awards like the Golden Boot — they do not. The Golden Boot specifically excludes own goals from its scoring calculations, ensuring only legitimate goals count toward the trophy.
Interesting Facts and Data About Own Goals
Own goals remain relatively rare on the biggest stage in football. According to FIFA records, 54 own goals have been scored in World Cup history out of 2,720 total goals. That means own goals account for roughly 2% of all World Cup goals ever recorded.
The 2022 World Cup in Qatar produced two memorable own goals. Nayef Aguerd of Morocco scored against Canada, while Enzo Fernandez of Argentina found his own net against Australia. Both incidents shifted group stage scorelines.
Women’s football has seen its share too. Across the first 8 Women’s World Cups, 25 own goals have been scored. This own goal soccer statistic highlights that defensive errors happen at every competitive level of the sport.
Everton FC holds the record for most own goals by a single club. In the 2002 World Cup, one of Ronaldo’s 8 goals that won him the Golden Boot was initially credited as an own goal. The goal was later reassigned to Ronaldo on appeal.
Defender Richard Dunne holds the individual record with 10 career own goals in English football. Despite this unwanted tally, Dunne remained one of the Premier League’s most respected and reliable center-backs throughout his long playing career.
Pat Kruse owns the fastest own goal record, scoring after just 8 seconds for Torquay United against Cambridge United in January 1977. That remarkable, unfortunate moment remains one of the quickest defensive errors in football history.
These records and statistics show that even the best players and teams can suffer moments of misfortune at the highest level of the game. Own goals remind us that football remains unpredictable and full of surprises.
Related Football Terms to Know
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| OG | Abbreviation commonly used in match reports, broadcasts, and social media to describe this unfortunate event |
| Self goal | Alternative phrase used in some regions and languages instead of the standard abbreviation |
| Golden Boot | Top scorer award that excludes these goals from a player’s seasonal and career totals |
| Dubious Goals Committee | Premier League body that reviews and can officially change goal attribution decisions |
| Deflection | When a ball changes direction after touching a player without any deliberate intent |
| Backpass | A deliberate pass to the goalkeeper that cannot be handled with the hands |
In football and soccer, OG specifically means an own goal — when a player accidentally puts the ball into their own net. Understanding these connected terms helps you follow live match commentary, the Golden Boot race, penalty kicks, and corner kick rules more easily throughout the season.
Each term connects to how the game is officiated and discussed. The Dubious Goals Committee resolves attribution disputes in English football, while the Golden Boot race only counts goals a player scores for their own team — never those accidentally scored against them in competition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions about own goals, covering key rules, famous records, and terminology used across both football and soccer competitions worldwide. These responses address common points of confusion for fans.
Does an own goal count as a goal for the player?
No, own goals are excluded from a player’s seasonal and career totals. The goal is recorded separately and does not appear in the player’s personal scoring record. This also means own goals do not count toward the Golden Boot race or any individual scoring award in football.
Who decides if a goal is an own goal?
The referee or match commissioner initially decides, with reviews possible through official bodies like the Dubious Goals Committee. In English football, Opta makes the initial attribution and the Premier League Dubious Goals Committee can change it later.
Can you score an own goal from a corner kick?
No, since 2016 the IFAB Laws of the Game explicitly state that a corner kick cannot produce an own goal. A corner is awarded to the attacking team instead if the ball enters the defender’s net directly from a corner kick.
What is the fastest own goal in history?
Pat Kruse scored the fastest own goal just 8 seconds into a match in January 1977. It happened during a Torquay United vs Cambridge United game, making it the quickest own goal in all of recorded football history.
Does an assist count on an own goal?
No, no assist is awarded on an own goal in football. Since the defending player puts the ball in their own net, no attacking player receives credit for creating or setting up the goal during the match.
What does OG mean in football?
OG stands for own goal, the standard notation used when a player scores in their own net. In own goal soccer terminology, OG appears on score sheets, match reports, and live scoreboards worldwide.
Conclusion: Why Own Goals Matter
An own goal in football happens when a player accidentally or deliberately puts the ball into their own net. These goals do not count toward a player’s seasonal or career totals, keeping individual statistics clean and fair for everyone.
The key distinction between a deflection and an own goal comes down to intent. FIFA’s 1997 guidelines state that a defender’s intervention must be deliberate for an own goal to be officially registered against them.
While own goals frustrate players and fans alike, they remain an unforgettable part of the sport’s drama. From record-setting mishaps to World Cup heartbreak, they shape football history in surprising ways. Keep exploring the game’s rules to better understand every moment on the pitch.