Austria and Algeria advance after six-goal thriller

Austria and Algeria both secured their places in the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Round of 32 after playing out a thrilling 3-3 draw in their final Group J match at Kansas City Stadium. The result saw Austria advance as group runners-up, while Algeria progressed as one of the eight best third-placed teams.

Dramatic finish decides Group J

With defending champions Argentina already confirmed as group winners, Austria needed at least a draw to finish second and avoid elimination. Algeria, meanwhile, required a point to keep their hopes of advancing alive. The match delivered high drama, with the lead changing hands three times before a stoppage-time equalizer sealed both teams' progression.

Algeria appeared to have snatched victory when captain Riyad Mahrez scored in the third minute of added time, but Austria substitute Sasa Kalajdzic leveled in the final moments to send both sides through. Austria advanced as runners-up and will face Spain at Los Angeles Stadium on 2 July. Algeria, as one of the best third-placed teams, will meet Switzerland in Vancouver on the same day.

First-half action

Austria opened the scoring in the 28th minute when Marko Arnautovic latched onto a long ball and finished under Algeria goalkeeper Oussama Benbot. Algeria responded strongly, with Fares Chaibi striking the woodwork before a bizarre passage of play led to the equalizer. Mahrez reacted quickest to a ball that bounced off the corner flag and fed Rafik Belghali, who slalomed through the Austria defense to level with aplomb in the 41st minute.

Second-half exchanges

Austria retook the lead early in the second half as Marcel Sabitzer met Nicolas Seiwald's precise cut-back with a laser-guided first-time finish from 18 yards in the 55th minute. However, their advantage lasted just five minutes. Houssem Aouar surged down the left and crossed for Algeria captain Mahrez, who swept home from close range in the 60th minute to make it 2-2.

Chances were scarce until Mahrez struck again in stoppage time, scoring his 39th Algeria goal and his first across four World Cup appearances. But the drama was not over, as substitute striker Kalajdzic bundled home in the 95th minute to confirm Austria's progression beyond the group stage for the first time since 1982. Algeria reached the knockout rounds for the second time following their run in 2014.