Own Goal From a Free Kick: What Happens Next?

Imagine the ball clipping off a defender's head and looping into their own net from a free kick. Players celebrate, only for the referee to point to the corner flag. Can you actually score an own goal from a free kick? No — and the Laws of the Game say exactly why.

TL;DR: A free kick kicked directly into your own goal is not a goal. The referee awards a corner kick to the opposition instead.

The Rule: No Own Goal From a Free Kick

Under Law 13 of the IFAB Laws of the Game, if a direct or indirect free kick is kicked directly into the team's own goal, a corner kick is awarded. The defender is not credited with an own goal — the scoreboard stays level.

Why a Corner?

It reflects a wider principle: an own goal cannot be scored directly from most restarts — the kick-off, goal kick, corner, throw-in and dropped ball — per the own goal entry on Wikipedia. The Laws hand the restart to a corner instead.

What If It Goes in the Opponent's Goal?

Direction matters:

• Direct free kick into the opponents' goal = goal awarded.
• Indirect free kick into the opponents' goal = goal kick.

So a would-be own goal is really a defender's escape — the keeper breathes again.

Can a Free Kick Own Goal Ever Count?

Rarely. If the ball deflects off a defender after the restart rather than flying straight in, it can be credited as an own goal to the player who made the last touch — judges assess that case by case.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an own goal from a free kick awarded?

No. A free kick that goes directly into the kicking team's own goal is not counted; a corner is awarded.

What if the ball deflects off a defender into their own net?

If it is the defender's last touch before crossing the line, it can be credited as an own goal to them.