Austria and Algeria Draw 3-3, Both Advance While Iran Is Eliminated

Austria and Algeria finished their final 2026 World Cup group match with a 3-3 draw on June 27 in Kansas City, Missouri, securing advancement for both teams and eliminating Iran from the tournament. Austria took the lead twice through goals from Marko Arnautovic in the 28th minute and Marcel Sabitzer in the 55th minute.

Algeria equalized each time with strikes from Rafik Belghali in the 45th minute and Riyad Mahrez in the 60th minute, leaving the score 2-2 after 87 minutes.

Algeria then completed 110 passes over five minutes and 36 seconds before Mahrez scored again in the 93rd minute from a through ball by Houssem Aoura. Austria responded in stoppage time when Sasa Kalajdzic headed in a cross from Michael Gregoritsch to tie the match at 3-3. Argentina finished first in Group J with three wins.

Austria placed second and will face Spain at 2 p.m. on July 2. Algeria advanced as one of the best third-placed teams and will play Switzerland at 11 p.m. ET the same day. This marks Algeria’s second appearance in the knockout stage since 2014 and Austria’s first since 1982.

“It means a lot for us,” Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez said. “It’s not every time that you go to the next stage in the World Cup. ” Austria midfielder Marcel Sabitzer said the team was “too passive” and called the result “weird moments” before adding, “We did it and we were very lucky at the end.