Austria and Algeria draw 3-3 in World Cup thriller, both advance as Iran goes home

Match thriller

Austria and Algeria produced one of the most gripping encounters of the group stage, full of momentum swings and two stoppage-time goals. Marko Arnautovic opened the scoring for Austria, but Rafik Belghali equalised before the break. Marcel Sabitzer restored Austria's lead early in the second half, only for Riyad Mahrez to level again from close range. In the 93rd minute, Mahrez struck for a second time, seemingly giving Algeria victory and sending Iran through as one of the best third-placed teams. Austria responded with a last-gasp header from substitute Kalajdzic three minutes later, capping a chaotic finish that coach Ralf Rangnick said "Alfred Hitchcock" could not have scripted.

“It was a serious, disciplined performance. We were solid. In the end, we could have won it, but it's a draw. The most important thing is to go through.”

Format shadows

The match carried the legacy of the 1982 "Disgrace of Gijon", when West Germany and Austria played out a mutually beneficial, uncompetitive result that eliminated Algeria. With a draw enough to send Austria through as group runners-up and Algeria into the last 32 among the best third-placed sides, fears of collusion resurfaced. The expanded 48-team format's uneven scheduling, which had already seen South Korea and Scotland eliminated without final-round clarity, added to the scrutiny. But the six-goal spectacle dispelled any doubt.

Coach reactions

Rangnick dismissed collusion suggestions, pointing to the extraordinary finale. "In this match, when you have a 3-3, nobody can assume that it was an agreement," he said. Algeria manager Vladimir Petkovic echoed the sentiment, calling the contest "a little crazy" and expressing relief that football triumphed. The 67-year-old Rangnick, who has coached for four decades, said he had never witnessed such a dramatic course. The result lifted Austria into second place behind Argentina in Group J, while Algeria progressed as one of the best third-placed sides.

“I'm extremely happy that at the end it was football that won, that prevailed. 3-3 as a score says it all.”

What comes next

Austria will face European champions Spain in Los Angeles on July 2, while Algeria meet Switzerland in Vancouver the same evening. The draw eliminated Iran, who would have advanced as one of the best third-placed teams had either Austria or Algeria won. Instead, Austria's first knockout-stage appearance since 1982 is secured, and Algeria became the ninth African side to reach the round of 32. The chaotic denouement, Rangnick said, proves "anything is possible" in a tournament already delivering surprises.