Austria Rip Victory Away From Algeria With Final-Kick Equaliser
Algeria Vs Austria Match Gallery, FIFA World Cup 2026: Algeria and Austria produced one of the most dramatic matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage, battling to a thrilling 3-3 draw in Kansas City to secure Round of 32 qualification for both sides. Marko Arnautović and Marcel Sabitzer twice put Austria ahead, but Rafik Belghali and Riyad Mahrez responded for the Desert Foxes, with Mahrez scoring again deep into stoppage time to seemingly seal a famous victory. However, Austria had the final say as Sasa Kalajdzic headed home in the 96th minute after Michael Gregoritsch kept a hopeful cross alive, rescuing a dramatic point. The pulsating draw ensured Algeria and Austria advanced from Group J, while Iran were eliminated after an unforgettable night of World Cup football filled with relentless twists and late drama.
Algerian fans celebrate after the World Cup Group J soccer match between Algeria and Austria in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, June 27, 2026. | Photo: AP/Charlie Riedel
Algeria's Adil Boulbina (20) celebrates after the World Cup Group J soccer match between Algeria and Austria in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, June 27, 2026. | Photo: AP/Charlie Riedel
Austria's Sasa Kalajdzic (14), center left, is mobbed by teammates after scoring their third goal during the World Cup Group J soccer match between Algeria and Austria in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, June 27, 2026. | Photo: AP
Algeria players pose for a photo before the World Cup Group J soccer match between Algeria and Austria in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, June 27, 2026 | Photo: AP/Charlie Riedel
An Algeria fan wears a mask before a World Cup Group J soccer match between Algeria and Austria in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, June 27, 2026 | Photo: AP/Charlie Riedel
Austria fans stand for their national anthem during the World Cup Group J soccer match between Algeria and Austria in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, June 27, 2026 | Photo: AP/Reed Hoffmann
Algeria's Nabil Bentaleb (19) and Aissa Mandi (2) compete for the ball against Austria's Stefan Posch (5) during the World Cup Group J soccer match between Algeria and Austria in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, June 27, 2026 | Photo: AP/Charlie Riedel
The moon is pictured among fans during the World Cup Group J soccer match between Algeria and Austria in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, June 27, 2026 | Photo: AP/Charlie Riedel
Austria's Marko Arnautovic (7) celebrates after scoring the team's first goal during the World Cup Group J soccer match between Algeria and Austria in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, June 27, 2026 | Photo: AP /Charlie Riedel
Algeria's Rafik Belghali (17) celebrates after scoring a goal during the World Cup Group J soccer match between Algeria and Austria in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, June 27, 2026 | Photo: AP/Charlie Riedel
Algeria's Rafik Belghali (17) celebrates after scoring a goal during the World Cup Group J soccer match between Algeria and Austria in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, June 27, 2026 | Photo: AP/Charlie Riedel
Algeria's Rafik Belghali (17)celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the World Cup Group J soccer match between Algeria and Austria in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, June 27, 2026 | Photo: AP/Reed Hoffmann
Algeria goalkeeper Oussama Benbot (16) looks a back at the ball in the goal after Austria's Sasa Kalajdzic (14) scored a third goal during the World Cup Group J soccer match between Algeria and Austria in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, June 27, 2026. | Photo: AP/Reed Hoffmann
Austria's Sasa Kalajdzic (14) shoots and scores team's third goal past Algeria goalkeeper Oussama Benbot (16) during the World Cup Group J soccer match between Algeria and Austria in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, June 27, 2026. | Photo: AP/Charlie Riedel
Algeria's Riyad Mahrez (7) scores their second goal past Austria goalkeeper Alexander Schlager (1) during the World Cup Group J soccer match between Algeria and Austria in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, June 27, 2026. | Photo: AP/Charlie Riedel
Austria's Marcel Sabitzer (9) scores their second goal past Algeria goalkeeper Oussama Benbot (16) during the World Cup Group J soccer match between Algeria and Austria in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, June 27, 2026. | Photo: AP/Reed Hoffmann
Austria's Konrad Laimer (20) heads the ball during the World Cup Group J soccer match between Algeria and Austria in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, June 27, 2026. | Photo: AP/Reed Hoffmann
Algeria's Ramy Bensebaini (21) controls the ball during the World Cup Group J soccer match between Algeria and Austria in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, June 27, 2026. | Photo: AP/Charlie Riedel
Austria goalkeeper Alexander Schlager (1) dives for a shot at goal during the World Cup Group J soccer match between Algeria and Austria in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, June 27, 2026. | Photo: AP/Reed Hoffmann
Austria's Konrad Laimer (20) and Algeria's Ramy Bensebaini (21) compete for the ball during the World Cup Group J soccer match between Algeria and Austria in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, June 27, 2026. | Photo: AP/Charlie Riedel
Algeria's Fares Chaibi (10)and Austria's Romano Schmid (18) fight of the bal during the World Cup Group J soccer match between Algeria and Austria in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, June 27, 2026. | Photo: AP/Reed Hoffmann
Algeria and Austria players observe a minute of silence for victims of the earthquake in Venezuela before the World Cup Group J soccer match between Algeria and Austria in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, June 27, 2026. | Photo: AP/Reed Hoffmann
Fans hold their cell phones during the World Cup Group J soccer match between Algeria and Austria in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, June 27, 2026. | Photo: AP /Charlie Riedel
Published At: