Algeria and Austria's dramatic draw sends Iran out...
Key takeaways
- The game was tied 2-2 in the closing minutes, and Algeria looked as if they were content to run out the clock, when captain Riyad Mahrez scored his second goal with about a minute left in stoppage time.
- Marko Arnautovic and Marcel Sabitzer also had goals for Austria, which finished second behind Argentina in Group J to advance for the first time since 1982.
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Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
Austria and Algeria played to a thrilling 3-3 draw Saturday night in what amounted to a win-win result in their World Cup group-stage finale, allowing both to advance to the knockout round while eliminating Iran from the tournament.
The game was tied 2-2 in the closing minutes, and Algeria looked as if they were content to run out the clock, when captain Riyad Mahrez scored his second goal with about a minute left in stoppage time. That put Austria on the verge of elimination, only for Sasa Kalajdzic to head in the equalizing goal moments later and rescue Das Team's World Cup hopes.
Marko Arnautovic and Marcel Sabitzer also had goals for Austria, which finished second behind Argentina in Group J to advance for the first time since 1982. Their reward is a matchup with European champions Spain on Thursday in the Los Angeles area.