4 takeaways from a dramatic finish between Austria and Algeria in the Group J final

In what was the most dramatic finish to a group stage match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Austria and Algeria played out a wild 3-3 draw at the Kansas City Stadium on Saturday night.

For most of the second half, Austria and Algeria seemed content with a 2-2 draw, seemingly unwilling to take any more risks, knowing the result would send both teams through.

But then in stoppage time, Algeria took the lead on a very surprising high-quality move into the Austrian box and an emphatic finish. Austria now faced elimination, with only around two minutes to get an equaliser.

Against all odds, Austria managed it through Sasa Kalajdzic, who scored less than a minute after entering the game. Both Austria and Algeria are through, but what a wild trip it was.

Here are my thoughts on perhaps the most dramatic game of the group stage.

1. The tournament’s wildest finish

From around the 70th minute, both teams looked content to play for a draw, knowing both would advance. Algeria walked around and showed no interest in progressing. It was very boring and the audience whistled loudly.

Then, in halftime, things changed with two wild swings of drama affecting three teams. Austria completely lost focus as Algeria seemed to just finish the game, content with a draw. But a channel opened up on the right and left winger Houssem Aouar moved to the right, causing the ball to overload that side. He then flicked a side-foot through the defensive line to Riyad Mahrez for what looked to be a dramatic winner.

At the time Algeria were second, Austria were third but eliminated and Iran would have gone through to the knockouts.

Austria coach Ralf Rangnick had another sub to make with seconds remaining. He turned to 6’7 forward Sasa Kalajdzic to come forward looking for a miracle.

It happened only a second after they entered the game. A long ball was played into the box and Michael Gregoritsch, subbing the game at half-time, headed back across goal to Sasa Kalajdzic, who then headed it home for a dramatic equalizer with his first touch of the game.

Then, just minutes after being eliminated, Austria were back in the knockouts, along with Algeria and Iran out.

Of course, Austria will need another miracle when they take on Spain in the round of 16. But facing Spain is much better than being eliminated and Austria should play free and loose the rest of the way. After this ending, Rangnick and Company play with house money.

2. Algeria were excellent from the outside

(Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Both of Algeria’s goals were scored on great individual efforts from both wings. That has typically been a strength with this team, and tonight it produced in a significant way.

Algeria equalized for the first time in the 45th minute when a long ball was played up the right. Austrian left back Phillipp Mwene was surprised when the ball hit the corner flag. He and the Algerian winger went after the ball from Riyad Mahrez, but it instead rolled to right-back Rafik Belghali, who then danced around two Austrian defenders to fire a shot past Alexander Schlager.

Algeria’s second equalizer was the result of explosive play down the left. Left winger Houssem Aouar won the ball on the wing outside the box. He then dribbled easily past Austria full-back Stefan Posch and then sent a low pass across goal to 35-year-old captain Riyad Mahrez for a finish.

The third goal was also the result of excellent play from the wingers as Aouar moved from the left side to the right and combined with Mahrez again for what looked at the time to be the winner.

Even beyond the goals, Algeria were able to consistently be dangerous down the wings throughout this match. Algeria manager Vladimir Petkovic had his team play to their strengths well in this match. Expect this to be part of the team’s game plan in the knockout stages.

3. Algeria Goalkeeping still a problem

(Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

In Algeria’s first two matches, goalkeeper Luca Zidane did not play. Against Argentina, he made a save but needlessly coughed up a rebound that bounced straight to Lionel Messi for a goal. Although Algeria defeated Jordan, Zidane conceded a goal from a shot he should have been able to save.

Because of this, Petkovic made a goalkeeping change for Austria and decided to start Oussama Benbot. Benbot, 31, has played his entire career with Algerian clubs and has only five caps with the national team.

Benbot didn’t react well and made a mistake on Marko Arnautovic’s opening goal when he froze to come out for a long ball into the box. Benbot could have made a play and didn’t. Instead, Arnautovic was able to get on the end of the pass and beat Benbot close to the goal.

For Algeria, this is a big problem getting into the knockouts as it is hard to see the team having much faith in its goalkeeping, be it Zindane or Benbot.

4. Austria’s elder statesmen are thriving

(Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

For Austria, the team received excellent performances from its elder statesmen throughout the group stage. Tonight against Algeria, the veterans produced in a significant way.

In the opening goal in the 28th minute, Real Madrid defender David Alaba, 34, played a long ball into the box for the national team’s leading goalscorer Marko Arnautovic, 37, who scored his 49th career international goal.

On the second goal, Bayern Munich winger Konrad Laimer, 29, set up Marcel Sabitzer in the middle for a powerful finish. For Sabitzer, 32, the goal came a game after he earned his 100th cap in the loss to Argentina.

The dramatic late equalizer that saved the team’s World Cup campaign was set up by Gregoritsch, 32, who was playing his 77th cap.

These players all have a lot of experience with this team and with each other. Austria benefited enormously from that. Against Spain, the team will likely need to continue to draw on this experience.