Austria and Algeria Share Six Goals in Kansas City and Advance to World Cup Last 16

KANSAS CITY, United States (AFP) — Algeria and Austria finished 3-3 on Saturday at Arrowhead Stadium in a contest that carried both nations into the World Cup knockout phase while knocking Iran out of the tournament.

Experienced striker Marko Arnautovic gave the Europeans the lead, only for Rafik Belghali to pull Algeria level before the interval after a fortunate bounce. Marcel Sabitzer then put Austria back in front with a well-taken goal, but former Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez soon replied to make it 2-2.

With the closing stages suggesting both camps would accept a shared point, the match still produced a frantic finish. Mahrez struck again in the 93rd minute, and in stoppage time substitute Sasa Kalajdzic nodded in a header that sent the Austrian bench into celebration.

The stalemate left Austria and Algeria level on four points in Group J, trailing section winners Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, who finished on nine. Austria have reached the knockout round for the first time since 1982. Algeria have equalled their run to the same stage at the 2014 tournament in Brazil.

Algeria will meet Switzerland in the round of 16, while second-placed Austria take on reigning European champions Spain.

Talk before kick-off centred on whether either side might prefer to avoid finishing runners-up and a meeting with Spain, widely rated among the title contenders. At their pre-match media briefings, both head coaches rejected any idea that the fixture would be manipulated, and the way the game unfolded appeared to support those remarks.

Played in muggy Midwest heat, the tie grew more open after the first scheduled drinks break, which drew jeers from a crowd that largely backed Algeria.

Arnautovic opened the scoring in the 28th minute with Austria's first shot on target. The 37-year-old took down a long pass from David Alaba and placed his finish beyond goalkeeper Oussama Benbot, who had been selected ahead of Luca Zidane, son of French legend Zinedine Zidane.

Algeria came close in the 40th minute when Fares Chaibi drove a fierce effort from the edge of the area against the post. Belghali found the equaliser on the stroke of half-time, weaving beyond three Austrian defenders before firing in. Austria defender Phillipp Mwene had attempted to guide the ball out for a corner, but it rebounded off the flag and fell to Belghali.

The tempo dipped early in the second period before rising again in the 55th minute, when Sabitzer completed a flowing move by converting Konrad Laimer's delivery from the rim of the penalty area.

Mahrez restored parity five minutes later, finishing strongly after Houssem Aouar supplied a precise cross.

As time ran down, each team limited their exposure, content that a draw would secure passage. The late flurry of goals nonetheless confirmed Iran's elimination, dashing their hopes of advancing as one of the best third-placed sides.