What is the primary objective of the game in football?

The primary objective of the game of football is to carry or pass the ball across the opponent's goal line. This action is essential because it results in scoring points, which is the ultimate aim of the game. Teams strategize and collaborate to advance the ball down the field and into the end zone, which directly contributes to winning the match. This objective encapsulates the essence of offensive play in football, highlighting the importance of both individual skill and teamwork in achieving success on the field.

Understanding this central goal also clarifies the roles that other aspects of the game play. While preventing the opposing team from scoring is crucial, it is a defensive strategy that supports the overarching objective of scoring. Making tackles is an important defensive action but does not directly relate to the winning aspect of accruing points. Accumulating penalties, on the other hand, is generally undesirable and can hinder a team's progress, rather than contribute to their primary goal of scoring.