What must the referee do when a goal is scored?

When a goal is scored, the appropriate action for the referee is to verify the goal and then restart play. This involves ensuring that the ball has completely crossed the goal line, which is crucial for confirming that a goal has been legitimately scored according to the Laws of the Game. After verification, the referee will signal the goal, which not only acknowledges the score but also clarifies to the players and spectators that play will be restarted.

The process for restarting play typically involves determining how the game will resume, often through a kick-off from the center of the field. The importance of this step is foundational in maintaining the flow of the game and ensuring that all participants are aware of the change in the score.

The other options do not align with the rules concerning goal recognition and the referee's responsibilities. For instance, counting a goal while penalizing the opposing team, ignoring player celebrations, or giving warnings prior to acknowledging a goal does not follow proper procedure and could lead to confusion and mismanagement during the game. Thus, verifying the goal and restarting play is the correct and essential action for referees.