In what was the most dramatic ending to a group-stage match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Austria and Algeria played to a wild 3-3 draw at Kansas City Stadium on Saturday night.
For most of the second half, Austria and Algeria appeared content with a 2-2 draw and seemingly did not want to take any more risks, knowing the result would send both teams through.
But then in stoppage time, Algeria took the lead on a very surprising, high-quality move into the Austrian box and an emphatic finish. Austria was now facing elimination, with only about two minutes to get an equalizer.
Against all odds, Austria pulled it off via Sasa Kalajdzic, who scored less than a minute after coming into the game. Both Austria and Algeria are through, but what a wild ride it was.
Here are my thoughts on perhaps the most dramatic game of the group stage.
Starting around the 70th minute, both teams looked content to play for a draw, knowing both would advance. Algeria was passing around while not showing any interest in getting forward. It was very boring, and the crowd was whistling loudly.
Then, in stoppage time, things changed with two wild swings of drama that affected three teams. Austria completely lost focus as Algeria seemed to want to just end the game, content with a draw. But a channel opened up on the right side, and left winger Houssem Aouar moved over to the right side, got the ball to overload that side. He then hit a side-footed ball through the defensive line to Riyad Mahrez for what seemed to be a dramatic winner.
At that moment, Algeria was second, Austria was third but eliminated, and Iran would have been through into the knockouts.
Austria manager Ralf Rangnick had another sub to make with just seconds remaining. He turned to 6’7 striker Sasa Kalajdzic to get forward and look for a miracle.
That happened just a second after coming into the game. A long ball was played into the box, and Michael Gregoritsch, who subbed into the game at halftime, headed back across the goal for Sasa Kalajdzic, who then headed it home for a dramatic equalizer with his first touch of the game.
Then, just minutes after facing elimination, Austria was back into the knockouts, along with Algeria and Iran were out.
Sure, Austria needs another miracle when it takes on Spain in the round of 32. But facing Spain is a lot better than being eliminated, and Austria should be playing free and loose the rest of the way. After this ending, Rangnick and Company are playing with house money.
Both of Algerias goals were scored on great individual efforts from either wing. That has typically been a strength with this team, and tonight, it produced in a significant way.
Algeria equalized for the first time in the 45th minute when a long ball was played up the right side. Austrian left back Phillipp Mwene was surprised when the ball hit the corner flag. He and the Algeria winger went for the ball from Riyad Mahrez, but it instead rolled to right back Rafik Belghali, who then danced around two Austrian defenders to fire a shot past Alexander Schlager.
Algerias second equalizer was the result of explosive play down the left side. Left winger Houssem Aouar got the ball on the wing outside the box. He then dribbled past Austrian fullback Stefan Posch with ease and then sent a low pass across the goal for 35-year-old captain Riyad Mahrez for a finish.
The third goal was also the result of excellent play from wingers when Aouar moved from the left side to the right side and combined with Mahrez again for what appeared at the time to be the winner.
Even beyond the goals, Algeria was able to consistently be dangerous down the wings throughout this game. Algeria manager Vladimir Petkovic had his team play to his strengths well in this game. Expect this to be part of the teams game plan in the knockout stages.
In Algerias first two games, goalkeeper Luca Zidane did not play. Against Argentina, he made
