World Cup: Algeria and Austria play out wild draw

A World Cup fixture tipped to drift quietly towards a mutually beneficial draw instead erupted into one of the most dramatic finales of the tournament so far.

Algeria and Austria shared six goals, two stoppage‑time strikes and a last‑gasp twist that sent both nations through to the knockout rounds.

Riyad Mahrez looked to have fired Algeria into the last 32 at Austria’s expense with a 93rd‑minute finish, only for Sasa Kalajdzic to come off the bench and rescue his country in the 96th minute. The 3-3 draw means Austria progress as runners‑up in Group J and will face Spain, while Algeria advance as one of the best third‑placed teams and meet Switzerland.

World Cup: Austria strikes first, Algeria respond

Austria’s early intent was clear. David Alaba clipped a clever pass over the top on 28 minutes, allowing Marko Arnautovic to break in behind and squeeze a scuffed finish past Oussama Benbot. It was a simple move, but it underlined Austria’s willingness to push forward rather than settle.

Algeria reacted sharply.

Rafik Belghali threatened twice before finally levelling just before the break. After Phillipp Mwene lost possession in the corner, Belghali burst into the box, cut inside and hammered high into the net for 1-1. It was a deserved equaliser after a spell of Algerian pressure which had included Fares Chaibi rattling the post from distance.

Sabitzer and Mahrez show

Austria regained control early in the second half. Marcel Sabitzer met Konrad Laimer’s low pass across the edge of the box with a crisp, first‑time strike to restore their lead on 55 minutes. It was a clean, confident finish from a player who had been influential throughout.

Algeria refused to fade. Houssem Aouar’s sharp work down the left created space for a cross which travelled through the box to Mahrez, who slammed home his first of the night on the hour mark. At 2-2, the game felt open again, but few inside GEHA Field could have predicted the chaos still to come.

Stoppage‑time storm

As the clock ticked into the final minute of the scheduled added time, both sides appeared content with the draw. Algeria knocked the ball around the centre circle. Austria’s Konrad Laimer stretched casually. The truce seemed set.

Then Aouar spotted a gap, his pass released Mahrez, who finished ruthlessly to make it 3-2. Austria was floored. Their players and fans looked stunned, knowing the goal would knock them out and lift Algeria into second place.

Iran, watching from afar, believed they had been saved.

Austria had one last surge left. Ralf Rangnick had introduced Kalajdzic moments earlier, and with Austria launching the ball into the Algeria box in desperation, Michael Gregoritsch rose to nod a pass across goal. Kalajdzic met it with a firm header. Ninety‑six minutes gone. 3-3. Austria is alive again.

The celebrations were wild, the relief immense. A match that had seemed destined for a quiet conclusion had exploded into a Kansas City classic.

Echoes of gijon, rewritten in the USA

This fixture carried historical weight. In 1982, West Germany and Austria played out the infamous disgrace of Gijon, a mutually convenient 1-0 result that eliminated Algeria.

For long stretches on Sunday night, it looked as though the two nations might again settle for a draw that suited them both.

Mahrez’s late strike appeared to deliver long‑awaited revenge. Kalajdzic’s equaliser rewrote the script entirely. Instead of controversy, the match delivered pure drama.

Algeria’s resilience

Algeria showed they wanted to win and deserve credit for their ability to react twice after falling behind. The team’s quality and consistency across the group stage must be praised and the players should enjoy this moment as much as their fans have. 

Austria now face European champions Spain in the last 32, a daunting assignment but one they enter with renewed belief after surviving the most dramatic finish of the group phase.

Algeria met Switzerland, carrying momentum and confidence from a performance that showcased both their attacking threat and their refusal to fold.

Featured image via Reuters