Riyad Mahrez scored a 93rd-minute goal after a record-breaking 110-pass buildup, but Saša Kalajdžić’s 96th-minute equaliser sent both Austria and Algeria through while eliminating Iran.
Algeria and Austria played out a chaotic 3-3 draw at Kansas City Stadium on Saturday, with the dramatic result allowing both nations to advance to the Round of 32 while agonizingly knocking out Iran.
Austria broke the deadlock in the 28th minute when Marko Arnautović latched onto a long ball and slotted it under goalkeeper Oussama Benbot. Algeria equalized right before the break when Rafik Belghali lashed home a fierce strike in the 45th minute. Ten minutes into the second half, Marcel Sabitzer restored Austria’s advantage with a powerful blast from the edge of the area, but Algerian captain Riyad Mahrez quickly levelled the scoreline at 2-2 in the 60th minute.
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Deep into stoppage time, the game erupted into chaos. In the 93rd minute, Mahrez glided behind the defence to slot home what looked like a winner for Algeria—a goal that would have eliminated Austria. However, in the 96th minute, Austrian super-sub Saša Kalajdžić rose highest to head home a dramatic equaliser, saving his country’s World Cup campaign and knocking out Iran instead.
Algeria commanded possession with 60 percent and registered 11 shots, five on target, while Austria also managed 11 shots, four on target. Algerian passing accuracy stood at 94 percent compared to Austria’s 89 percent.
Mahrez’s 93rd-minute goal came after a staggering, record-breaking 110-pass buildup sequence that lasted over five minutes without Austria touching the ball. Algerian playmaker Ibrahim Maza completed 13 dribbles during the group stage—the most of any player in the tournament—including a perfect six for six against Austria.
According to a report by Accra Street Journal, Austria secured the runner-up spot in Group J on goal difference and will face Spain in the Round of 32. Algeria advanced as one of the best third-placed teams and will face Switzerland in Vancouver.
Before Kickoff
Venue and Kickoff Time
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- Stadium: Arrowhead Kansas City Stadium (Kansas City, Missouri)
- Kickoff: 02:00 GMT
⚽ Pre-Match Analysis
📋 Predicted Lineups
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- Algeria Starting XI: Mandrea; Atal, Mandi, Bensebaini, Ait-Nouri; Bentaleb, Bennacer; Riyad Mahrez, Aouar, Brahimi; Bounedjah.
- Austria Starting XI: Pentz; Posch, Danso, Lienhart, Mwene; Seiwald, Laimer; Sabitzer, Baumgartner, Grillitsch; Gregoritsch.
📊 Match Facts and Head-to-Head (H2H)
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- H2H Record: Their most notable historic meeting dates back to the controversial 1982 World Cup group stages.
- Key Fact: Both squads enter this final game with an identical zero goal differential.
Last Updated on July 2, 2026 by Samuel Kwame Boadu
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Samuel Kwame Boadu is a Ghanaian media entrepreneur and storyteller with a passion for amplifying urban voices and uncovering everyday truths. He is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Accra Street Journal, a dynamic digital platform dedicated to capturing the pulse of Ghana’s capital—its people, culture, challenges, business, sports and innovations.
