Own Goal From a Free Kick: What Actually Happens?

You've seen a free kick whipped toward goal, and a defender gets an unfortunate touch that sends it into their own net. But what if the kick flies directly into the taker's own goal? Does an own goal from a free kick count? The short answer is no — and the restart might surprise you.

TL;DR: An own goal can't be scored directly from any free kick. The goal is disallowed and the opposing team gets a corner kick.

The Rule in FIFA's Laws of the Game

Under IFAB's Laws of the Game (Law 13), a goal may be scored directly from a direct free kick against the opposing side. But the same law makes a clear exception: an own goal may not be scored directly from any free kick, direct or indirect.

If the ball travels into the kicker's own goal without touching another player, the referee disallows it and awards a corner kick to the opposition.

Why a Corner and Not a Goal?

It comes down to how free kick restarts work. A player can only score for the team awarded the kick. If the ball heads into the wrong goal directly, the law treats it as if the ball simply crossed the line from the attacking side's action, giving the defending team possession from a corner.

The Indirect Free Kick Twist

If an indirect free kick goes directly into the opponents' goal, it does not count either — the defending team gets a goal kick.

What About a Deflection?

If the free kick touches a teammate or opponent before crossing the line, the "directly" condition no longer applies, and a genuine own goal can stand.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you score an own goal from a direct free kick?

No. A goal cannot be scored against the taker's own team directly from any free kick.

Does an own goal from a free kick count?

No. The goal is disallowed and the restart is a corner kick to the opposing team.

What if the free kick deflects off a teammate and goes in?

Then it touches another player before crossing the line, so it's a legal own goal and the score stands.

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