Algeria and Austria produced an unbelievable end as each secured the purpose they wanted to succeed in the World Cup knockout levels.
Sasa Kalajdzic scored a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser as Austria and Algeria performed out an entertaining 3-3 draw of their ultimate Group J conflict on the World Cup.
Riyad Mahrez thought he had scored the winner within the 93rd minute which might have despatched Algeria via as runners-up, however Kalajdzic stepped up to seal second place.
The end result does, nevertheless, see each groups progress into the knockout levels. Austria will tackle European champions Spain, whereas Algeria, who superior as the most effective third-placed groups, teed up a date with Switzerland.
Austria threatened the opening aim however Xaver Schlager might solely hearth over the crossbar, together with his eighth-minute shot the primary throughout the opening 10 minutes for his workforce at this 12 months’s World Cup, however they needed to bide their time earlier than taking the lead.
However moments after the primary hydration break, Austria took the lead within the twenty eighth minute via Marko Arnautovic, who raced on to David Alaba‘s lofted go excessive of the Algeria defence earlier than prodding previous Oussama Benbot.
Arnautovic nearly doubled his tally moments later however dragged his shot broad of the left put up, earlier than Farès Chaïbi struck the upright with a long-range thunderbolt.
Algeria ultimately received themselves degree on the stroke of half-time when Rafik Belghali minimize inside and fired into the roof of the web after Mahrez had brilliantly saved the ball in.
Nonetheless, Austria retook the lead 10 minutes after the break when Konrad Laimer‘s lay off was met by Marcel Sabitzer, who curled an beautiful strike, from the sting of the field, into the top-right nook.
Nonetheless, Ralf Rangnick’s facet’s lead lasted solely 5 minutes as Houssem Aouar made an explosive run down the left earlier than rolling it throughout aim for former Manchester Metropolis star Mahrez to faucet in on the again put up.
Mahrez thought he had received it for his nation within the third minute of second-half stoppage time when he discovered the bottom-right nook from contained in the field, however Kalajdzic despatched the Austrian supporters wild together with his close-range header within the 96th minute.
A Basic in Kansas Metropolis
After a comparatively quiet 27 minutes, the sport burst into life via Arnautovic’s opener. That was his second aim of the 2026 World Cup, and he grew to become the oldest Austrian (aged 37 years and 70 days) to begin a World Cup match, surpassing Michael Konsel, who was 36 years and 109 days previous when he began in opposition to Italy in 1998.
As Algeria looked for an equaliser, Belghali dragged an effort broad of the left-hand put up, earlier than discovering the again of the web minutes later.
He grew to become the youngest participant to attain for Algeria within the World Cup (24 years and 20 days) since Algeria’s first World Cup match in 1982, when each Rabah Madjer (23 years and 183 days) and Lakdhar Belloumi (23 years and 169 days) did so in opposition to West Germany.
Sabitzer’s aim was his ninth from outdoors the field for Austria – greater than twice as a lot as some other Austrian participant since 2019.
Much more surprisingly, Mahrez’s end was his first World Cup aim at 35 years previous. He grew to become the primary Algerian participant to attain a aim within the World Cup at 32 years of age or older earlier than including a second in stoppage time. He is the second Algerian participant to attain a number of targets in a single World Cup match (Salah Assad in 1982 vs. Chile).
Our Opta match centre delivers you all of the Algeria vs Austria stats from their 2026 FIFA World Cup Group J assembly in Kansas Metropolis.
The match centre beneath consists of workforce and participant stats, anticipated targets knowledge, passing networks, an Opta chalkboard and extra. It offers you every part you could do your personal match evaluation.
Beneath the match centre you will discover the official Opta stats on the sport as properly.
Algeria vs Austria: Submit-Match Opta Information
- Austria have superior past the preliminary group stage for the primary time since 1982. That version was hosted by Spain, who will likely be Austria’s opponent within the Spherical of 32.
- Algeria have superior to the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup for the second time, additionally going via with 4 factors in 2014.
- Riyad Mahrez scored the go-ahead aim within the third minute of second-half stoppage time to be answered by Sasa Kalajdzic within the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time. Austria grew to become the primary workforce to keep away from defeat at a FIFA World Cup match after conceding a go-ahead aim at 90’ or later.
- Sasa Kalajdzic scored 61 seconds after approaching in its place. That was the third-fastest aim by a substitute on this 12 months’s FIFA World Cup and the eight-fastest ever.
- Algeria grew to become the ninth African workforce to advance to the knockout spherical of this FIFA World Cup out of the ten entrants from the continent (90%). Previous to 2026, Africa had by no means had greater than half of its groups in a FIFA World Cup advance out of the group stage.
- Marko Arnautovic grew to become the primary participant who’s no less than 37 years previous to have each a aim and a yellow card in the identical FIFA World Cup match.
- Marko Arnautovic has scored two FIFA World Cup targets since turning 37. The one different gamers in FIFA World Cup historical past to attain a number of targets at 37 or older are Lionel Messi (6), Roger Milla (5), and Cristiano Ronaldo (3).
- Rafik Belghali (24 years, 20 days previous) grew to become the youngest participant to attain for Algeria within the FIFA World Cup since Algeria’s first FIFA World Cup match in 1982 when each Rabah Madjer (23y 183d) and Lakdhar Belloumi (23y 169d) did so in opposition to West Germany.
- Riyad Mahrez scored his first and second FIFA World Cup targets at 35 years previous. He’s the primary Algerian participant to attain a aim on the FIFA World Cup at 32 years of age or older.
- Tonight’s match was Austria’s twelfth consecutive FIFA World Cup match conceding no less than one aim. The one European groups to have an extended such streak in FIFA World Cup play are Switzerland (22, 1934 – 1994) and Sweden (15, 1974 -1994).
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