Algeria 3-3 Austria: Late Sasa Kalajdzic goal sends both teams through in six-goal thriller
Super-sub Sasa Kalajdzic scored a dramatic 96th-minute equaliser to rescue a 3-3 draw against Algeria in Kansas City, securing knockout stage spots for both nations.
Substitute Sasa Kalajdzic scored a dramatic equaliser deep in stoppage time to rescue Austria’s World Cup and send both his side and a heartbroken Algeria through to the last 32 after a breathtaking six-goal thriller in Kansas City.
Knowing a point would guarantee both sides safe passage out of Group J, a tentative opening gave way to total pandemonium at Arrowhead Stadium. Marko Arnautovic and Marcel Sabitzer twice gave Austria the lead, only for Rafik Belghali and Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez to fire back.
But it was the final minutes of additional time that provided unparalleled World Cup theatre. With the game tied at 2-2 and both teams seemingly playing out a mutually beneficial draw, Mahrez capitalised on an Austrian defensive lapse in the 93rd minute to sweep home a brilliant low finish.
The Algerian bench erupted, believing they had clinched second place in the group, a result that would have eliminated Austria and sent Iran through to the knockout stages instead. However, Ralf Rangnick’s side refused to succumb to elimination. In the 96th minute, a desperate final cross from Sabitzer was nodded back across goal by Michael Gregoritsch, allowing the towering Kalajdzic to bundle a header home with virtually the last touch of the match.
The draw means Austria advance as Group J runners-up behind Argentina, setting up a daunting Round of 32 clash with European champions Spain on Thursday in Los Angeles. Algeria, despite the late agony of conceding, progress as one of the best third-placed teams and will face Switzerland in Vancouver.
Pre-match talk had quietly feared a repeat of the infamous 1982 ‘Disgrace of Gijon’—where West Germany and Austria played out a pedestrian 1-0 result that actively eliminated Algeria. Instead, the 69,045 fans in attendance witnessed an all-time tournament classic.
Austria opened the scoring in the 28th minute when David Alaba’s visionary long ball unpicked the Algerian defence, allowing the veteran Arnautovic to break through and slip the ball past Oussama Benbot. Algeria responded with aggressive flair; Fares Chaibi rattled the woodwork from distance before Belghali equalised just before the interval, dancing past three white shirts before rifling a spectacular shot into the roof of the net.
The frantic pace continued into the second half as Konrad Laimer’s brilliant right-wing run and cutback allowed Sabitzer to fiercely restore Austria’s lead. It lasted only five minutes. Houssem Aouar marauded down the left flank and delivered an inviting cross to the back post, where Mahrez was waiting to effortlessly slot home.
While both sides looked content to pass the ball sideways as the clock ticked down, the late explosion of goals provided an unforgettable conclusion to the group stage, leaving Iran devastated and both Algeria and Austria alive in the tournament.
