KANSAS CITY, MO — There was certainly an uncomfortable feeling in the crowd when the ball kicked off for Austria and Algeria’s final group stage match on Saturday, June 27.
With both teams needing a point to advance to the round of 32, many questioned whether either team had the desire to win.
Well, it ended as one of the craziest games yet in the 2026 World Cup.
Austria and Algeria tied 3-3, sending both teams to the knockout round, but it wasn’t straightforward.
This is the second time in history that Algeria punched its ticket to the knockout round, the last time coming in 2014. This is also Austria’s first time advancing past the group stage since 1982.
“It means a lot for us,” Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez said. “It’s not every time that you go to the next stage in the World Cup. It was the aim when we arrived here, we’ve done it and we are happy.”
The game was tied 2-2 in the 87th minute. Algeria took possession and began passing the ball back and forth. It seemed as though the African nation was counting down the clock to secure a result.
In fact, Mahrez received a through ball from Houssem Aoura in the 93rd minute. Mahrez first timed a shot from eight yards away, sliding it under the Austrian keeper. The goal gave Algeria the lead and the second position in the group. Algeria’s advantage meant Austria’s World Cup was coming to an end.
Mahrez’s goal came from a sequence that lasted five minutes and 36 seconds. There were 110 passes completed between Algerian players before the goal.
“It was a bit awkward,” Mahrez said about the match. “The last minute, someone plays a ball inside. I have to make the run. I have to respect football and the ball arrived in front of the keeper, I have to score. I have to try to score.”
With four minutes of extra time, Austria had one final push to tie the game and keep their tournament hopes alive.
Near the end line, Michael Gregoritsch played a ball to the middle of the box. The cross hung in the air and was met by Sasa Kalajdzic. He powered a header into the goal, tying the game at the death. The entire Austrian bench flooded the corner flag in jubilation as the referee blew the final whistle.
“Weird moments,” Austria midfielder Marcel Sabitzer said. “One moment from Algeria, they have top quality in the midfield. You are emotionally down, but you need to get up.”
Austria took the lead twice with a goal from Marko Arnautovic in the 28th minute. Sabitzer also added a goal in the 55th minute.
Algeria’s Rafik Belghali tied the game at the 45th minute before Mahrez put his name on the scoresheet in the 60th minute.
“We were too passive,” Sabitzer said. “It was not our plan, but Algeria had good moments, good transitions. To be honest, it was not a good game from us.”
With six goals scored and two teams showing a willingness to win, it was anything but the ‘Disgrace of Gijon’ or ‘Disgrace of Kansas City’. It was a match that was played with intensity, both teams pushed forward consistently looking for goals.
It all culminated with a wild final five minutes that saw both teams celebrate at full-time.
“We did it and we were very lucky at the end,” Sabitzer said. “I’m very happy at that at the end.”
Argentina secured the group with three wins. Austria finished in second place with Algeria qualifying as one of the third-place teams.
In the round of 32, Austria will take on star-studded Spain at 2 p.m. on Thursday, July 2. Algeria will also face Switzerland at 11 p.m. ET on Thursday.
Liam Keating covers the World Cup in Kansas City for USA TODAY. He also covers high school sports and Washburn University for The Topeka Capital-Journal. Send stats or information to him at LKeating@gannett.com