Tie the match at 2 - 2 late in regulation

[Maybo]

Does “in regulation” mean under Argentina’s control?

 

[Rover_KE]

No. It means in the first 90 minutes - after which 30 more minutes of extra time will be played, followed by a penalty shoot-out if the scores are still level.

 

[5jj]

No. It means in the first 90 minutes

Is ir a common expression? I have never heard it. (But then it was only yesterday I discovered there was a world cup on - seriously!).

 

[emsr2d2]

Regulation time (football)

I wouldn't say it's a common expression but I knew what it meant when I read the quote. After "regulation time", you get extra time and then, in certain tournaments (and it's the only part of a football match I'll watch), penalties!

 

[Rover_KE]

Is it a common expression?

'Regulation time' is commonly used by football reporters, commentators and aficionados.

'Regulation', as in the quoted text, not so much.,

 

[Tarheel]

The phrase "regulation time" (or just "regulation") applies to any sport which is on a clock. For example, if a basketball game is tied at the end of regulation they play an overtime period.

 

[5jj]

My question was about 'in regulation'.

 

[jutfrank]

My question was about 'in regulation'.

It would normally be the full 'in regulation time'.

Along with 'regulation time', you'll also commonly hear 'normal time'.

 

[Tarheel]

It seems to be an American English/British English difference. I would expect to hear "regulation" as in "The game was tied at the end of regulation."

 

[Barque]

Maybo, the reason for that term is that the regulations (the rules governing football) say a match should last 90 minutes. That's the minimum and the usual period. So 90 minutes is regulation time.

Extra time is called "extra" because it's additional time added on to regulation time, in matches where you need a definite result and not a draw (the knockout stages of a tournament). It gives extra time for a team to get ahead after the scores are tied in normal or regulation time.