In this article the development of the determining the outcome of a match is described.
A goal is obtained when the ball crosses the goal line between the goal posts and – after their introduction – below the crossbar or rope. All football codes have that in common, whereby some codes from the first decades of the 19th century also allow the throwing of a goal. In fact, this description is not to be found in all rules and regulations, as it was all too unambiguous.
| Year (Source) | new or changed laws (proposing club, if known) |
| 1863 (FA) | A goal is scored when the ball crosses the goal line between the goalposts from the field. |
| 1866 (FA) | A goal is scored when the ball crosses the goal line between the goalposts and below the goal rope (as a height limit). |
| 1867 (Sheffield FA) | A goal is scored when the ball crosses the goal line between the goalposts and below the goal band (as a height limit). |
| 1872 (FA) | Touching the goalposts is not a goal (Wanderers FC). It is important if the ball jumps from there behind the goal line or not. |
| 1875 (FA) | Touching the rope or the crossbar as well as the corner flags is not a goal (Queen’s Park). It is important if the ball jumps from there behind the goal line or not. |
| 1938 (IFAB) | The team scoring the greater number of goals during a game shall be the winner; if no goals, or an equal number of goals are scored the game shall be termed a ‚draw‘. If an outside agent wants to prevent a goal, but he failed and the ball enters the goal, the goal must be allowed. |
| 1939 (IFAB) | Addition that the ball may not be carried into the goal (FA). |
| 1969 (IFAB) | Intervention by an outside agent: Addition: In this case the game is restarted by a dropped ball at the place where the contact or interference occurred (SFA). |
| 1970 (IFAB) | Introduction of the Kicks from penalty mark, but not as a part of Law 10. |
| 1985 (IFAB) | Intervention by an outside agent: It is added that – when play was stopped and the ball was in the goal area – it is dropped on that part of the goal area line which runs parallel to the goal-line, at the point nearest to where the ball was when play (IFA). |
| 1997 (IFAB) | Supplement that, depending on the competition rules, the extra time follows a draw after 90 minutes. |
| 2012 (IFAB) | GLT is permitted to assist the referee in deciding whether a goal has been scored (FIFA). |
| 2016 (IFAB) | Introduction of the Kicks from penalty mark in the Laws of the Game (previously included in the Appendix). It is added that if a referee signals a goal before the ball has passed wholly over the goal, a goal kick is awarded. |
| 2019 (IFAB) | Kicks from penalty mark: It is added that each kick is taken by a different player, and all eligible players must take a kick before any player can take a second kick. |