Austria and Algeria both advance after stoppage-time drama as late goals spark mutual celebrations in Kansas City

Match context

Both sides entered the final Group J match knowing a draw would guarantee progress. Argentina had already clinched first place, while Algeria and Austria each had three points after beating Jordan and losing to Argentina. Austria held a slight edge on goal difference, but a stalemate would see both advance into a new, expanded Round of 32. That arithmetic fuelled pre-match questions about a possible pact between the teams, though coaches Ralf Rangnick and Vladimir Petković insisted they were playing to win.

First half

Austria struck first in the 28th minute when David Alaba played a long pass over the Algerian defence and Marko Arnautović finished calmly one-on-one. Algeria responded with pressure of their own: Ibrahim Maza dribbled past several defenders and Fares Chaibi hit the post before Rafik Belghali levelled in the 45th minute with a powerful near-post strike after a clever combination with Riyad Mahrez.

Second half

Marcel Sabitzer restored Austria's lead ten minutes after the restart, hammering a Konrad Laimer cutback into the far corner from outside the box. Algeria hit back instantly. Houssem Aouar broke down the left and squared for Mahrez to tap in from close range for 2-2. The pace then dropped as both teams settled into a rhythm that kept the draw intact.

Stoppage-time drama

Deep into added time, with a silent non-aggression pact seemingly in place, Algeria suddenly accelerated. Aouar threaded a through ball to Mahrez, who slotted past the goalkeeper in the 93rd minute to make it 3-2. The goal appeared to eliminate Austria and send the African side into second place. Yet three minutes later, Michael Gregoritsch nodded a cross back across the six-yard box and substitute Sasa Kalajdžić buried a header for 3-3. The final whistle blew seconds afterwards, confirming both nations in the knockout phase.

Aftermath and reactions

Because second place paired Austria with Spain while third-placed Algeria instead drew Switzerland, the equaliser sparked celebrations in both camps. Spanish newspaper Marca described the scene as a "surreal reaction from Algeria. They celebrate a draw." Italian journalist Tancredi Palmeri reported the stadium erupting with joy from Algerians, not Austrians. Ralf Rangnick, who has coached for about 40 years, told reporters he could not recall a match with such a dramatic course and unexpected trajectory, adding: "If Alfred Hitchcock had written such a scenario, people would say the master of suspense had lost his mind." After the whistle, Arnautović was seen gesturing angrily at opponents, and cameras captured a near-brawl between staff and substitutes near the sideline. Austria will face Spain in Los Angeles on 2 July; Algeria meet Switzerland in Vancouver early on 3 July. It is Austria's first World Cup knockout appearance since 1982.