Confused when World Cup stoppage time ends? You’re not alone

Researchers studying the 2022 World Cup found unexplainable added time and that close scores affected how long first and second halves lasted.

England was down a player and clinging to a one-goal lead in the World Cup’s round of 16 when the match hit its 90-minute limit, and a referee lifted a sign inside Mexico City’s deafening Estadio Azteca. It signaled England and Mexico would play another 11 minutes to account for stoppages in play during the second half.

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