Last Goalscorer Betting Market Explained

The last goalscorer market is one of the more intriguing options in football betting because it focuses on the very specific moment when the final goal of a match is scored. Unlike broader markets such as match results or total goals, this one zooms in on a single event that often unfolds in the closing stages, where tension is highest, and outcomes can change in seconds.

In this guide, we will break down what you need to know about the last goalscorer market and also highlight the best betting sites with competitive odds on this market in Kenya.

What Is a Last Goalscorer Bet?

A last goalscorer bet is a wager on which specific player will score the final goal of a football match. It does not matter when they scored their earlier goals or how many times they have been on the scoresheet. For your bet to win, the player you selected simply needs to be the one who puts the ball in the net last before the final whistle.

This is a popular market for high-scoring matches where goals flow regularly, but it is also one of the more challenging goalscorer markets available. Notably, you are not only predicting that a player will score but also that no other player from either team will score after them.

How Does the Last Goalscorer Bet Work?

Placing a last goalscorer bet is pretty straightforward as long as you’ve already done your research and analysis on the player you want to bet on. Below are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Log in to your preferred betting site or the top bookmakers recommended on our page, such as 1xBet and Mozzartbet.

Step 2: Choose a football match you want to bet on. This market is most commonly available on high-profile fixtures across the EPL, La Liga, UCL, Serie A, and select KPL matches.

Step 3: Go to the goalscorer markets section, often listed under ‘Players,’ ‘Goalscorer,’ or ‘Player Props.’

Step 4: Select ‘Last Goalscorer’ and choose the player you believe will score the match’s final goal.

Step 5: Enter your stake via M-Pesa and confirm your bet.

Practical Example

For example, if Erling Haaland is priced at 6.00 to be the last goalscorer in a Manchester City vs. Arsenal UCL quarter-final. You place KSH 300 on him. The match ends 2-1 to City, and Haaland’s 78th-minute goal turns out to be the last of the game. Your return would be KSH 1,800, which is a KSH 1,500 profit on a single selection.

Now imagine that Arsenal scores in the 85th minute to equalize. Even though Haaland scored, your last goalscorer bet loses because he was no longer the final scorer of the match.

Last Goalscorer Rules You Need to Know

Before placing your money, it is essential to understand the rules that govern this market. These can vary slightly between sites, so always check the terms on your specific platform.

Regular Time Only

Last goalscorer bets apply only to goals scored within the standard 90 minutes plus injury time (stoppage time). Goals scored in extra time or during a penalty shootout do not count. This is particularly relevant when betting on knockout competitions like the UCL or the FA Cup, which can extend beyond 90 minutes.

Own Goals Do Not Count

If an own goal is the last goal in a match, it is excluded from last-goalscorer settlements. Kenyan betting sites will then look back at the previous legitimate goal scored by an outfield player and use that to settle bets. This is a rule that catches many bettors off guard, and as such, always account for the possibility of a late own goal changing the outcome of your selection.

Substitute Players Are Eligible

Your selected player does not need to start the match for your bet to remain valid. If a striker comes off the bench in the 70th minute and scores in the 88th, your bet wins if no further goals follow. In fact, substitutes can make excellent last goalscorer selections since they come on fresh, they are often used in attacking situations, and managers frequently introduce them to chase or protect a result.

What If Your Player Does Not Play?

If the player you selected does not feature in the match at all, either through injury, suspension, or a coach’s decision, most sites will void the bet and return your stake. However, each platform has its own specific policy, so confirm this before placing your bet.

Abandoned Matches

If a match is called off before 90 minutes of play are completed, goalscorer bets are typically voided and stakes returned.

Last Goalscorer vs. First Goalscorer vs. Anytime Goalscorer

Under the goalscorer market, you can either bet on the first goalscorer, anytime goalscorer, or last goalscorer. In the table below, we have highlighted the differences between these three markets to help you choose one that suits your risk level.

Tips for Winning Last Goalscorer Bets

Winning is never guaranteed in betting, but there are several tips that you can apply to help make a logical decision when choosing the goalscorer to bet on. These include:

Target Late-Game Substitutes

Players brought on after the 60th minute are often attacking reinforcements. They tend to score later in matches because they are introduced specifically to create or finish chances. If a manager consistently uses a specific player as a second-half impact sub, that pattern is worth tracking for last goalscorer bets.

Back Penalty Takers in High-Pressure Matches

Penalties are most commonly awarded in the final quarter of matches as defenders get more desperate. A reliable penalty taker, someone like Mohamed Salah or Bruno Fernandes, has an additional route to the last goal that pure open-play forwards do not. Identifying who takes penalties for the clubs you bet on is a real edge in this market.

Study the Match Context

A team chasing a goal in the 80th minute will throw men forward, increasing the likelihood that their attackers score late. Conversely, a team defending a lead tends to sit deep, making late goals less likely for their strikers. Knowing which team is expected to be in front, or behind, shapes who is most likely to score last.

Check Defensive Records

A striker playing against a team that concedes frequently in the second half is a very different proposition from one facing a defensively compact side. Look at how many goals the opposition have conceded after the 70-minute mark across their last five or six matches. This small detail can significantly improve the quality of your selection.

Use Live Betting to Your Advantage

If you wait until the match is underway and the score is level or 1-0 in the 60th minute, you can identify which team is pushing harder and which striker looks most likely to get the next touch on a dangerous chance. Live last goalscorer odds can offer excellent value because bookmakers are still setting them in real time.

Combine Carefully in Multibets

Last goalscorer selections can be added to a multibet slip alongside other markets to boost potential returns. However, the difficulty of this market means your win probability drops sharply with each added selection. Two well-researched last goalscorer picks across different matches in a multibet is a more sustainable approach than trying to combine four or five.

Where to Find Last Goalscorer Bets in Kenya

Most major Kenyan sportsbooks offer the last goalscorer market on high-profile football fixtures. Here is where to look:

Helabet: Offers goalscorer markets on EPL, La Liga, Serie A, and UCL matches under the ‘Player’ section.

Mozzartbet: One of the better platforms for goalscorer depth, covering a wide range of leagues with competitive odds.

1xBet:  Available on top European fixtures, particularly Premier League and Champions League matches.

Betwinner: Offers goalscorer markets on selected international matches with competitive pricing.

22Bet: Broad coverage of European and international football with last goalscorer among the available markets.

Final Thoughts

The last goalscorer market is recommendable for bettors with a high-risk appetite. Still, this market can be rewarding if you get your prediction right since the odds tend to be higher. However, before you bet on the player who will score the last goal, make sure you do thorough research.

In this market, you need to consider several factors such as the shape of the game, substitution patterns, match context, and defensive vulnerabilities.

Last Goalscorer FAQ

What does the last goalscorer mean in betting?

It means you are backing a specific player to score the final goal of a football match. If any other player scores after them, your bet loses.

Do own goals affect last goalscorer bets?

Own goals are excluded. If an own goal is the last of the match, bookmakers revert to the previous legitimate goal for settlement purposes.

What if my player comes on as a substitute?

Your bet remains valid. If your selected player comes on from the bench and scores the last goal, you win.

Does extra time count for last goalscorer bets?

No. Only goals scored during regular time and stoppage time count. Extra time and penalty shootouts are excluded.

What if my player is not in the starting lineup?

Most Kenyan betting sites will void the bet and return your stake if the player does not feature at all, but rules vary between platforms.

Can I combine the last goalscorer in a multibet?

Yes. This option is available at our top sportsbooks highlighted in this guide. However, keep in mind that each selection must win for the multibet to pay out.