Austria scores 96th-minute equaliser against Algeria to clinch World Cup last-16 berth and set up Spain meeting, Iran out
A 96th-minute goal by Sasa Kalajdzic rescued Austria's World Cup knockout hopes in a 3-3 draw with Algeria in Kansas City, sending the Austrians through as group runners-up to face Spain and eliminating Iran.
A frantic finale in Kansas City
For 90 minutes the Group J finale between Algeria and Austria had followed a tense but orderly script, with both teams trading goals and settling into a result that would see them both advance. Then the match erupted. Riyad Mahrez appeared to have won it for Algeria with his second goal of the night in the third minute of stoppage time, a strike that momentarily lifted the Desert Foxes above Austria and eliminated Iran as the ninth-best third-placed side. Barely a minute later, Austria launched one last attack and Kalajdzic headed home the equaliser that restored the 3-3 scoreline, snatched second place back and sent Iran packing.
How the match unfolded
The first half was genuine. Austria struck first through Marko Arnautovic, who latched onto a long David Alaba pass and beat goalkeeper Oussama Benbot in the 28th minute. Algeria, needing at least a point, replied before the interval when Rafik Belghali cut inside two defenders and rifled a shot into the top corner. After the break, Marcel Sabitzer put Austria back in front in the 55th minute, only for Mahrez to level again five minutes later, tapping in a Houssem Aouar cutback. With half an hour remaining and both teams sitting on a qualifying result, the pace slowed, but the drama was only postponed. Algeria dominated possession (65%) and created more chances, yet Austria found the net with almost every clear opportunity.
- Marko Arnautovic scores for Austria (0-1)
- Rafik Belghali equalises for Algeria (1-1)
- Marcel Sabitzer restores Austria's lead (1-2)
- Riyad Mahrez makes it 2-2
- Mahrez scores again, Algeria leads 3-2
- Sasa Kalajdzic heads in the 3-3 equaliser
Group J picture and the round of 16
Austria finishes second in Group J behind Argentina, who completed a perfect group stage with a comfortable 3-0 win over Jordan. Lionel Messi scored his 19th World Cup goal in that match and his sixth of the tournament. The second-place finish sends Austria into a round-of-16 clash with Spain, set for Thursday at the Los Angeles venue. Algeria advances as one of the eight best third-placed teams and will face Switzerland in Vancouver. Iran, sitting ninth in the third-place table, misses out on the knockout rounds.
Historical echoes and coming test
Austria is back in a World Cup knockout phase for the first time since the 1982 tournament in Spain, the edition infamous for the 'Disgrace of Gijón' when Austria and West Germany conspired to eliminate Algeria. This time the draw sends Austria into a meeting with Spain for only the second time at a World Cup; their previous encounter came in 1978, when the Austrians won 2-1. The most recent meeting between the sides was a 2009 friendly in Vienna that Spain won 5-1.
