Six-Goal Thriller Sends Algeria And Austria Through

Algeria and Austria reached the World Cup 2026 knockout stage after a dramatic 3-3 draw at Kansas City Stadium, with two stoppage-time goals turning Group J into one of the most chaotic finales of the tournament.

Austria led twice through Marko Arnautovic and Marcel Sabitzer, but Algeria fought back through Rafik Belghali and Riyad Mahrez before Mahrez struck again in the 93rd minute to put the Fennecs 3-2 ahead.

At that moment, Austria were heading out and Iran were going through as one of the best third-placed teams. But Sasa Kalajdzic, introduced from the bench just seconds earlier, headed in a 96th-minute equaliser to send Austria through as Group J runners-up.

The draw also confirmed Algeria as the final best third-placed qualifier and eliminated Iran, who finished unbeaten after three draws but were edged out by the late Austrian goal.

Arnautovic Strikes First Before Belghali Responds

The match began with high intensity, both teams knowing that a draw could send them through but also aware that the wrong result could change everything.

Austria struck first in the 28th minute. David Alaba clipped a ball over the top, and Marko Arnautovic raced onto it before scuffing a finish past Oussama Benbot, who had been selected in goal ahead of Luca Zidane.

Algeria responded by pushing forward. Fares Chaibi smashed a superb 20-yard strike against the post, and the pressure eventually produced an equaliser on the stroke of half-time.

Rafik Belghali reacted quickest after the ball bounced back into play off the corner flag. He bundled his way into the box, created space and lashed a finish high inside the near post to make it 1-1.

Sabitzer Restores Austria Lead, Mahrez Answers Back

Austria regained the lead 10 minutes after the restart. Konrad Laimer cut the ball back to the edge of the area, where Marcel Sabitzer arrived to side-foot a first-time finish into the net.

That goal placed Algeria back under pressure, but Mahrez soon produced the response. In the 60th minute, Houssem Aouar drove forward brilliantly and crossed toward the far post, where Mahrez turned in to level the match at 2-2.

It was Mahrez’s first World Cup goal at the age of 35, and it arrived at a moment when Algeria needed leadership and calm.

Both teams then had chances to win it, but as the final minutes approached, the tempo dropped and the crowd began to sense a mutually useful draw.

Stoppage-Time Madness Changes Everything

Just as boos started to drift down from the stands, the match exploded again.

In the 93rd minute, Algeria ended a long spell of possession with Aouar releasing Mahrez on the right side of the box. The winger lashed an angled shot past Alexander Schlager to put Algeria 3-2 ahead.

For two minutes and 16 seconds, Algeria had the sweetest possible revenge against Austria, a country forever linked to the pain of 1982 and the Disgrace of Gijon. Austria were out, Iran were in, and Algeria were on course to finish second.

Then came one final twist. Michael Gregoritsch supplied the delivery, and Sasa Kalajdzic headed home in the 96th minute, two minutes beyond the original added time. Austria celebrated wildly, Algeria still went through, and Iran were eliminated.

Key Events

• 28′ – Algeria 0-1 Austria: Marko Arnautovic scores after David Alaba’s ball over the top.
• 45′ – Algeria 1-1 Austria: Rafik Belghali lashes in from inside the box just before half-time.
• 55′ – Algeria 1-2 Austria: Marcel Sabitzer side-foots home from Konrad Laimer’s cut-back.
• 60′ – Algeria 2-2 Austria: Riyad Mahrez turns in at the far post after Houssem Aouar’s cross.
• 90+3′ – Algeria 3-2 Austria: Mahrez scores again with an angled strike to put Austria on the brink of elimination.
• 90+6′ – Algeria 3-3 Austria: Sasa Kalajdzic heads in moments after coming off the bench to send Austria through.
• Full-time – Algeria 3-3 Austria: Austria qualify as Group J runners-up, Algeria progress as a best third-placed team and Iran are eliminated.

Algeria Analysis: Mahrez Nearly Writes Perfect Revenge Story

For Algeria, this match was loaded with history. The memory of 1982 and the Disgrace of Gijon still shadows any World Cup meeting involving Austria and Algerian qualification hopes.

Mahrez almost turned that history into a perfect revenge story. His second goal appeared to knock Austria out and send Algeria into second place, sparking huge celebrations among the Fennecs.

Although Kalajdzic’s late equaliser denied Algeria that symbolic triumph, the main objective was still achieved. Algeria are through to the knockout stage and will face Switzerland in Vancouver.

Aouar’s two assists were crucial, while Belghali’s first-half equaliser showed the fight and urgency Algeria needed when the match could have slipped away.

Austria Analysis: Survival Through One Final Header

Austria looked set for heartbreak when Mahrez scored in the 93rd minute, but Kalajdzic’s late intervention changed everything.

Ralf Rangnick’s side became the first team to avoid defeat in a World Cup match after falling behind beyond the 90th minute, a remarkable piece of history created by their refusal to accept elimination.

Arnautovic and Sabitzer had given Austria control at different stages, but their inability to protect two leads made the finish far more dramatic than it needed to be.

Still, qualification is what matters. Austria now head into a last-32 tie against Spain, knowing they survived one of the most intense group-stage finales imaginable.

Final Score

Algeria 3-3 Austria

Half-time: Algeria 1-1 Austria

Venue: Kansas City Stadium

Attendance: 69,045

What This Result Means

Austria finish second in Group J and will face Spain in the last 32 in Los Angeles on Thursday at 20:00 BST.

Algeria progress as the final best third-placed qualifier and will take on Switzerland in Vancouver on Friday at 04:00 BST.

Iran are eliminated despite finishing unbeaten, having drawn all three Group G matches.

Man of the Match

Riyad Mahrez scored twice and almost delivered a famous Algerian revenge story. His far-post finish and stoppage-time strike were the defining moments of Algeria’s qualification night.

Hot Stat

Austria became the first team to avoid defeat in a World Cup match after falling behind beyond the 90-minute mark.