Technically, A Soccer Game

TECHNICALLY, A SOCCER GAME lasts only 90 minutes. Referees, however, add extra time at the match’s end for stoppage that occurs during the game. In 1999, three extra minutes in the European Club Champions Cup proved to be a historic 180 seconds for Manchester United.

The United Kingdom’s premier soccer club had already captured the English Premier League crown and the Football Association Cup. Winning the European Club Champions Cup would represent the equivalent of claiming both the World Series and the Super Bowl to British soccer fans.

In the finals, United’s chances of completing the “treble” appeared bleak. With the full 90 minutes played, Bayern Munich led 1–0, and the Union of European Football Associations representatives prepared to make the official presentation to the German club.

But the field official tacked on three minutes to compensate for injury time during the match. In the 91st minute, Manchester’s David Beckham kicked from the corner. Substitute Teddy Sheringham picked up the Bayern attempted clearance at the edge of the area and twisted around to send the ball into the corner of the net, tying the score 1–1.

Less than a minute later, Beckham made a second corner kick. Norwegian striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer pounced on the ball and slammed it into the net from close range. Time ticked away until the referee blew the whistle. Then the more than 30,000 Manchester United faithful at Barcelona’s Camp Nou stadium sang in joy, celebrating the 2–1 victory.

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POINT In most sports when the clock ticks down to 00:00, the game’s over. But soccer officials normally add extra time to make up for substitutions and injuries that occurred during play. So the game isn’t necessarily over when it’s over. Time can be extended, like it was at the European Club Champions Cup. And Manchester United benefited.

The same can’t be said about life. Jesus made it clear when he said that a single moment cannot be added to your life. God has given you a certain amount of time on this planet. Do your best to make the most of it before the clock reads 00:00.

GOAL! What are some of the things you’d like to accomplish for yourself and God before you go to heaven?