Can a Goalkeeper Score From Their Own Penalty Area?

TL;DR: Yes — a goalkeeper can score from their own penalty area, most commonly by kicking the ball goal-side from a goal kick, as long as the ball stays in play and no handball is involved.

Can a goalkeeper score from their own penalty area? The surprising answer is yes, and it is perfectly legal under the Laws of the Game. It is rare, but when it happens it produces some of the most unforgettable moments in football.

The Law: Goal Kicks Count

Under IFAB Law 16, "a goal may be scored directly from a goal kick, but only against the opposing team." A goal kick is taken from within the goal area — part of the penalty area — so a goalkeeper who launches the ball straight into the opposition's net scores a legitimate goal.

For the goal to stand, three things must hold:

• The ball is in play (a goal kick must move clearly).
• The kicker is not offside when the ball is struck.
• No opponent touches the ball before it crosses the line.

Famous Goalkeeper Goals

These world-class keepers proved it can be done:

• Alisson Becker scored a dramatic 95th-minute winner for Liverpool against West Brom in May 2021 by coming forward for a corner — a moment that helped secure Champions League football.
• Asmir Begović holds the Premier League's record for the quickest and one of the longest goals, scoring for Stoke City from inside his own box after just 13 seconds in 2013.
• Tom King set the Guinness World Record for the longest goal in football with a strike measured at 96.01 metres for Newport County in 2021.

Open Play and Restrictions

Keepers can also score during open play by launching deep clearances downfield. However, a goalkeeper cannot score directly with their hands — a goal must come from a kicked or headed contact, never via a handball throw. Also note that if the ball flies into their own net directly from a goal kick, it is a corner, not an own goal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a goalkeeper score with their hands?