Austria and Algeria into knock-outs after dramatic draw

FootballSports
28 Jun 2026 • 1:02 PM MYT
DPA International
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Image from: Austria and Algeria into knock-outs after dramatic draw
Austria's Marko Arnautovic celebrates with his teammates after scoring his side's first goal of the game during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group J soccer match between Algeria and Austria at Kansas City Stadium. Georg Hochmuth/APA/dpa

Substitute Sasa Kalajdžić scored a dramatic last-gasp goal just one minute after coming on to keep Austria alive in the World Cup with a 3-3 draw with Algeria on Saturday.

Both nations advanced to the knock-out stage, but in a very dramatic fashion.

The game was tied 2-2 until the third minute of stoppage-time, when Riyad Mahrez completed his brace and thought that would seal a comeback 3-2 win for Algeria.

The result would qualify the Algerians to next round, but eliminate Austria.

The Europeans, however, operated a miracle. Kalajdžić came on in the fifth minute of stoppage-time and just one minute later, he found the target to rescue the Austrian team.

Austria are into the knock-outs as Group J runners-up and will face European champions Spain on Thursday. Algeria advanced as one of the eight best third-placed teams and will take on Switzerland on July 7.

Title holders Argentina had already qualified as Group J winners and could start with Lionel Messi on the bench, but they still closed the group stage with a 3-1 win against Jordan.

In the round of 32, they will face underdogs Cape Verde on Friday.

Argentina led 2-0 by the 31st minute thanks to goals from Giovani Lo Celso and Lautaro Martinez.

Mousa al-Tamari pulled one back from Jordan, but their comeback hopes were frustrated when Messi came on in the 60th.

He scored in the 80th from a free-kick to become the first man to score in seven consecutive World Cup matches. Messi also extended his own overall scoring record to 19.

Image from: Austria and Algeria into knock-outs after dramatic draw
Austria's Marko Arnautovic celebrates after scoring his side's first goal of the game during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group J soccer match between Algeria and Austria at Kansas City Stadium. Georg Hochmuth/APA/dpa
Image from: Austria and Algeria into knock-outs after dramatic draw
Austria's Marko Arnautovic celebrates after scoring his side's first goal of the game during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group J soccer match between Algeria and Austria at Kansas City Stadium. Georg Hochmuth/APA/dpa
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