Direct vs indirect free kicks
Understand the referee signal and why the same shot into the goal can produce different restart outcomes.
The restart type matters
A direct free kick can score directly into the opponents' goal. An indirect free kick cannot score that way without a further touch. Under IFAB Law13, an indirect kick sent directly into the opponents' goal results in a goal kick.
This is why a free kick's location alone does not tell you whether a direct shot can count. First identify the kind of restart. A dramatic strike can be invalid as a direct goal even if it crosses the line.
Read the raised-arm signal
The referee signals an indirect free kick by raising an arm. The Law describes keeping that signal until another player touches the ball, it goes out, or a direct goal is no longer possible. The signal is information about the restart, not simply a card or advantage gesture.
If the referee fails to signal and the ball is kicked directly into the goal, the Law requires the indirect free kick to be retaken. A scoreboard does not necessarily show the gesture, so a live event label may be the only context available.
An own-goal restart is another trap
If either a direct or indirect free kick is sent directly into the kicker's own goal, the restart is a corner kick. Do not apply the opponents' goal rule to the wrong end of the field. A further touch changes the factual situation.
On ScoreZaap, wait for the confirmed event and score after a disputed restart. A provider may initially show an apparent goal before correcting it. This guide explains the basic distinction; it does not adjudicate a real match from a headline score alone.