Algeria vs Austria 2026

Six-Goal Thriller in Kansas City as Austria Edge Through in Group J Drama

Arrowhead Stadium bore witness to one of the tournament's most breathless encounters as Algeria and Austria traded blows in a 3-3 classic that had everything but a winner. Austria struck first through the ever-dangerous Marko Arnautović in the 28th minute, silencing the Algerian faithful, but the North Africans roared back on the stroke of half-time as Rabbi Belghali leveled at 45' to send both sides into the break locked at 1-1. The tension was only just beginning.

The second half exploded into chaos. Marcel Sabitzer restored Austria's advantage in the 55th minute, only for talisman Riyad Mahrez to answer five minutes later, dragging Algeria back into the fight. The drama peaked deep in stoppage time, where Mahrez completed his brace in the 90th minute, seemingly snatching a lifeline for the Desert Foxes—but Austria refused to yield, as Saša Kalajdžić powered home an immediate equalizer, also in the 90th, to cap a frantic finale and secure the crucial point his nation desperately needed.

That late Kalajdžić strike proved decisive in the grander picture. Austria's single point lifted them to four and secured second place in Group J, booking their passage to the knockout rounds. For Algeria, the heartbreak was total: despite matching Austria on four points, they were edged out on the final standings and eliminated, their spirited fightback ultimately in vain. With Argentina cruising through as group winners on nine points and Jordan bowing out pointless, it was Austria who advanced alongside the South American giants—leaving Mahrez and company to rue the goal that arrived just seconds too late.