Algeria, Austria draw 3-3, both advance to knockout stage; Iran eliminated
A thrilling 3-3 draw between Algeria and Austria in the final group stage match allowed both teams to advance to the knockout round, eliminating Iran in heartbreaking fashion.
Algeria and Austria played to a dramatic 3-3 draw Saturday night in their World Cup group-stage finale, a result that saw both teams advance to the knockout round while eliminating Iran from the tournament. The match was tied 2-2 in the closing minutes, with Algeria appearing content to run out the clock, when Riyad Mahrez scored his second goal with about a minute left in stoppage time. That put Austria on the brink of elimination, only for Sasa Kalajdzic to head in the equalizer moments later, rescuing Austria's World Cup hopes. Marko Arnautovic and Marcel Sabitzer also scored for Austria, which finished second in Group J behind Argentina, advancing for the first time since 1982. They will face European champion Spain on Thursday in Los Angeles. Rafik Belghali also scored for Algeria, which became the ninth of 10 African teams to advance. Algeria finished third in the group but earned a potentially easier Round of 32 matchup against Switzerland on Thursday in Vancouver, British Columbia. Iran would have advanced as one of the eight best third-place teams if either Austria or Algeria had won. But when Kalajdzic scored in stoppage time to tie the game, it meant Iran was eliminated in heartbreaking fashion. The first three World Cup matches at Arrowhead Stadium had seen crowds of Argentina, Ecuador, and Netherlands fans. However, for the Kansas City group finale, the Algeria green and red of the Austrians were joined by thousands of locals happy to get cheaper World Cup tickets. Many locals appeared to be rooting for Algeria, which has its training base in nearby Lawrence, Kansas, and has formed a unique friendship with the small college town. Few of those new fans likely know about the "Disgrace of Gijón." But longtime Algeria supporters had been waiting 44 years for World Cup revenge. At the 1982 tournament, Austria and West Germany seemingly stopped playing after the latter took a 1-0 lead, as that outcome ensured both advanced at Algeria's expense. Algeria protested to FIFA to no avail and was eliminated. Some wondered whether the expanded 48-team field would produce a "Disgrace of Kansas City," as both teams knew a draw would send them through. Instead, a crowd of 69,045 witnessed a dramatic 90-plus minutes. Austria struck first when Arnautovic timed his run between two Algerian center backs, went one-on-one with goalkeeper Oussama Benbot, and overcame a stumble to score his record-extending 49th career goal for his nation. Algeria answered just before halftime when Belghali's left-footed shot beat Austria goalkeeper Alexander Schlager. The frenetic pace continued in the second half on a hot night in Kansas City. Not content with a 1-1 draw, Austria's Konrad Laimer sent a sharp pass across the field that Sabitzer finished to regain the lead — giving Iran some hope — only for Algeria to respond minutes later when Mahrez scored off a perfect cross from Houssem Aouar. Algeria took control down the stretch, playing keep-away as the crowd grew restless. But just when it seemed both teams were happy to run out the clock, Mahrez and Kalajdzic provided lasting fireworks in stoppage time.
