Own Goal From a Free Kick: The Rules Explained

Free kicks create chaos in the box. A defender lunges, misjudges the flight, and the ball nestles in the wrong net. Does that count as an own goal from a free kick? Under the rules, no — not directly.

TL;DR: A free kick kicked directly into your own net is a corner kick for the opposition — no goal and no own goal.

The official rule

Law 13 of the IFAB Laws of the Game is clear. If a player kicks a free kick directly into their own net, the referee awards a corner kick to the opposition. No goal counts, no own goal is given.

This applies to direct and indirect free kicks. Compare the attacking end:

A direct free kick into the opponents' goal = goal.
An indirect free kick into the opponents' goal = goal kick.
Any free kick into your own goal = corner.

Why the corner, not own goal

An own goal is only credited when a player turns the ball into his own net during open play. A free kick is a restart awarded to the opposition, so your own net counts as their goal from that kick — and the result is a corner.

When an own goal DOES count

Here's the twist. If the ball makes contact with a second player after the free kick and then ends up in the wrong net, you're back in own-goal territory:

A defender deflects the ball into his own goal = own goal.
A free kick touched by a teammate before crossing the line can then count as an own goal.

So the own goal only counts after that extra touch.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if the free kick is indirect and goes in the wrong end?

Still a corner, per Law 13 — the same as a direct free kick into your own net.

Why doesn't the own goal count?

An own goal needs the ball to enter your net during play. A free kick is a restart in the opponent's favour, so your net is treated as their target.