KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Austria and Algeria both advanced to the World Cup knockout stage after playing out a dramatic 3-3 draw on Saturday, with a stoppage-time equalizer from Austria denying Iran a place in the round of 32.In one of the most dramatic matches of the tournament, Riyad Mahrez’s second goal of the night appeared to have sent Algeria through while eliminating Austria, only for Sasa Kalajdzic to head home an equalizer with virtually the last touch of the match.The result sent Austria through as Group J runners-up behind Argentina, while Algeria progressed as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams. Iran, which had been waiting on the outcome, was eliminated in heartbreaking fashion.”I’ve been a coach for about 40 years. I don’t remember a game that had such a dramatic course and such an unexpected trajectory,” Austria coach Ralf Rangnick said. “The locker room is madness.”Austria will face European champion Spain in the round of 32, while Algeria takes on Switzerland.Marko Arnautovic gave Austria the lead after timing his run perfectly before finishing calmly past goalkeeper Oussama Benbot for his record-extending 49th international goal.Algeria responded before halftime through Rafik Belghali, whose left-footed strike beat Austrian goalkeeper Alexander Schlager to level the match.The action continued after the break as Marcel Sabitzer restored Austria’s advantage following Konrad Laimer’s cross-field pass, briefly reviving Iran’s qualification hopes.Those hopes were quickly dented when Mahrez equalized after converting Houssem Aouar’s cross to make it 2-2.With a draw enough to send both teams through, the closing stages slowed as Algeria kept possession, drawing whistles from sections of the crowd mindful of the infamous “Disgrace of Gijón” at the 1982 World Cup, when a result between Austria and West Germany eliminated Algeria.Instead, the match exploded into life in stoppage time.Mahrez fired Algeria ahead with his second goal of the night, seemingly securing second place for the North Africans while sending Austria out of the tournament.But just moments later, Kalajdzic rose to head home an equalizer on the final play of the match, rescuing Austria’s qualification and ensuring both teams advanced.”It’s a feeling of being extremely happy,” Mahrez said. “The objective when we arrived was to go beyond the first round. That’s what we did.”The draw completed an extraordinary conclusion to Group J.Austria advanced to the knockout stage for the first time since 1982, finishing second behind defending champion Argentina.Algeria also booked its place in the round of 32 after finishing third, becoming the ninth of the 10 African teams at the expanded 48-team World Cup to progress beyond the group stage.”I think the match was a little crazy,” Algeria coach Vladimir Petkovic said. “Let’s celebrate our qualification, rest, and then begin again for the next round.”
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Austria and Algeria both advanced to the World Cup knockout stage after playing out a dramatic 3-3 draw on Saturday, with a stoppage-time equalizer from Austria denying Iran a place in the round of 32.In one of the most dramatic matches of the tournament, Riyad Mahrez’s second goal of the night appeared to have sent Algeria through while eliminating Austria, only for Sasa Kalajdzic to head home an equalizer with virtually the last touch of the match.The result sent Austria through as Group J runners-up behind Argentina, while Algeria progressed as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams. Iran, which had been waiting on the outcome, was eliminated in heartbreaking fashion.”I’ve been a coach for about 40 years. I don’t remember a game that had such a dramatic course and such an unexpected trajectory,” Austria coach Ralf Rangnick said. “The locker room is madness.”Austria will face European champion Spain in the round of 32, while Algeria takes on Switzerland.Marko Arnautovic gave Austria the lead after timing his run perfectly before finishing calmly past goalkeeper Oussama Benbot for his record-extending 49th international goal.Algeria responded before halftime through Rafik Belghali, whose left-footed strike beat Austrian goalkeeper Alexander Schlager to level the match.The action continued after the break as Marcel Sabitzer restored Austria’s advantage following Konrad Laimer’s cross-field pass, briefly reviving Iran’s qualification hopes.Those hopes were quickly dented when Mahrez equalized after converting Houssem Aouar’s cross to make it 2-2.With a draw enough to send both teams through, the closing stages slowed as Algeria kept possession, drawing whistles from sections of the crowd mindful of the infamous “Disgrace of Gijón” at the 1982 World Cup, when a result between Austria and West Germany eliminated Algeria.Instead, the match exploded into life in stoppage time.Mahrez fired Algeria ahead with his second goal of the night, seemingly securing second place for the North Africans while sending Austria out of the tournament.But just moments later, Kalajdzic rose to head home an equalizer on the final play of the match, rescuing Austria’s qualification and ensuring both teams advanced.”It’s a feeling of being extremely happy,” Mahrez said. “The objective when we arrived was to go beyond the first round. That’s what we did.”The draw completed an extraordinary conclusion to Group J.Austria advanced to the knockout stage for the first time since 1982, finishing second behind defending champion Argentina.Algeria also booked its place in the round of 32 after finishing third, becoming the ninth of the 10 African teams at the expanded 48-team World Cup to progress beyond the group stage.”I think the match was a little crazy,” Algeria coach Vladimir Petkovic said. “Let’s celebrate our qualification, rest, and then begin again for the next round.”
