Sasa Kalajdzic struck in the sixth minute of added time to rescue a 3-3 draw for Austria against Algeria in Kansas City, a result that sent both nations into the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 and eliminated Iran.
The dramatic finale saw Riyad Mahrez appear to have won the match for Algeria in the 93rd minute, only for the former Stuttgart striker to head home with virtually the last action of the game. The point secured Austria second place in Group J, while Algeria progressed as one of the best third-placed teams.
Six-goal thriller in stifling heat
The encounter provided a spectacle for the 69,045 spectators at Kansas City Stadium, who endured thick humidity despite a 9pm local time kick-off. Twelve Bundesliga players featured in total, with nine representing Austria including Bayern Munich’s Konrad Laimer and Borussia Dortmund’s Marcel Sabitzer.
Marko Arnautovic opened the scoring on 28 minutes, capitalising on David Alaba’s lofted pass to lob goalkeeper Oussama Benbot. Algeria responded before the interval through Rafik Belghali, who pounced on a rebound after a chaotic sequence involving the corner flag.
Sabitzer re-established the Austrian advantage ten minutes after the restart, converting Laimer’s cutback at the far post. Yet Algeria refused to relent, with Houssem Aouar supplying the assist for Mahrez to level on the hour mark.
The tempo dipped during the final half-hour as sideways passages drew whistles from sections of the crowd. However, the closing minutes erupted when Mahrez converted his second goal in added time, sparking brief celebrations that suggested Iran would advance at Austria’s expense. Kalajdzic’s intervention seconds later ensured both sides progressed.
Knockout phase awaits
For Austria, the qualification marks their first appearance in the World Cup second round since the 1982 tournament in Spain, when they advanced alongside West Germany while Algeria suffered elimination. The north Africans have now reached the knockout phase for the first time since 2014.
The draw has set up intriguing Round of 32 fixtures. Austria have been drawn against Spain, while Algeria meet Switzerland. The latter tie carries particular significance for Algeria’s coach Vladimír Petković, who spent seven years in charge of the Swiss including at the 2018 World Cup.
Iran’s defeat in the standings represents a cruel conclusion to their campaign, having briefly harboured hopes of progression when Mahrez struck in added time.