FIFA World Cup 2026 | Group J, Match 66 | Saturday, 27 June 2026 GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri | Attendance: 69,045 | Referee: TBC
Iran were watching. Somewhere, a group of players and coaches sat in front of a screen knowing exactly what they needed — either team to win in Kansas City. Not a draw. A winner. Anything but a draw.
They got six goals and a draw. They are out.
Algeria 3-3 Austria. One of the matches of the tournament. Six goals, six different storylines, lead changes, a stoppage-time goal that looked like it had settled the group, and then — in the 96th minute, with the whole of Iran believing their World Cup was saved — Sasa Kalajdzic, six feet seven inches tall, arriving as a substitute with one purpose and needing exactly one touch to achieve it.
Both teams go through. Iran go home. It was the most dramatic ending to a group stage game at this entire World Cup.
Arnautovic opened it in the 28th minute. The 37-year-old — who became the oldest Austrian ever to start a World Cup match, surpassing Michael Konsel — chased down a dropping long ball from David Alaba and slotted past Oussama Benbot before the goalkeeper could react. Austria had their lead and Arnautovic had his second goal of the tournament. At 37 years and 70 days old, scoring his second World Cup goal — he now sits alongside Lionel Messi, Roger Milla and Cristiano Ronaldo as the only players to score multiple World Cup goals aged 37 or older.
Algeria came back immediately. On 41 minutes, Rafik Belghali — just 24 years and 20 days old, the youngest Algerian to score at a World Cup since Rabah Madjer in 1982 — converted to make it 1-1. His goal came from a dynamic move down the right byline, a ball-roll inside, a near-post finish past Schlager. 1-1 at half-time.
Austria retook the lead in the 55th minute. Sabitzer — who has now scored nine goals from outside the box for Austria since 2019, more than twice as many as any other Austrian player in that period — drove forward and hammered one in from range. That was Austria in front again. The scoreline that suited both sides — a draw — had been disrupted again.
Mahrez equalised in the 60th minute with what turned out to be his first World Cup goal at 35 years old. He became the first Algerian to score a World Cup goal at 32 or older. His finish was composed and precise. Aouar had two assists in the match and was central to Algeria’s attacking transitions throughout.
From 2-2, the match settled. Both teams seemed prepared to accept the point that sent both through. The clock counted down. Five minutes of stoppage time were signalled. Iran’s hope was alive.
Then Mahrez. In the 90+3rd minute, Aouar found him in behind the Austrian defence. He ran onto the ball and finished low past Schlager. 3-2 Algeria. Kansas City erupted in one section, fell completely silent in the other. Austria were going out. Iran were going through. The game had completely changed in three seconds.
Peter Stöger threw Kalajdzic on in the 90+5th minute. The giant striker came on with his team needing an immediate goal and no time to think about anything else. Gregoritsch, also a substitute, launched a cross from the right. Kalajdzic met it with a header — no fuss, no drama, just an enormous man doing exactly what enormous men who score headers do. 3-3. 90+5′. Wild scenes.
The final whistle went almost immediately after. Austria second, Algeria third as one of the best third-place teams. Iran out. The crowd barely knew whether to cheer or stand in stunned silence. Both happened simultaneously.
Petkovic said afterwards it was a little crazy and went beyond the limits of everyone’s endurance. That is one way to put it. Austria — advancing from the group stage for the first time since 1982 — face Spain in Los Angeles. Algeria face Switzerland in Vancouver. Petkovic faces his former club, the team he managed before Algeria. He said the players should celebrate qualifying and then prepare.
The records from this extraordinary match: Arnautovic and Belghali both scoring in the same game — two different players at opposite ends of the age spectrum simultaneously making World Cup history. Mahrez’s brace in stoppage time. Kalajdzic’s header with his first touch as a substitute in the 96th minute. Algeria the ninth of ten African teams to advance from the group stage — a record for African football at a World Cup.
Iran, eliminated by a 96th-minute equaliser in a game they were not even playing in. It is the cruelest exit in this tournament so far.
For live World Cup scores and Round of 32 coverage, visit fawanews.org.uk. Full results, standings and knockout bracket at the official FIFA World Cup website.
Algeria 3-3 Austria FIFA World Cup 2026, Group J, Match 66 | Saturday, 27 June 2026 GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri | Attendance: 69,045
Goals: Marko Arnautovic 28′ (Austria, assist: David Alaba), Rafik Belghali 41′ (Algeria), Marcel Sabitzer 55′ (Austria, outside box), Riyad Mahrez 60′ (Algeria, assist: Aouar), Riyad Mahrez 90’+3′ (Algeria, assist: Aouar), Sasa Kalajdzic 90’+5′ (Austria, assist: Gregoritsch cross)
Algeria: Benbot; Belghali, Mandi, Bensebaini, Ait-Nouri; Boudaoui, Zerrouki; Chaibi, Mahrez, Maza (Aouar 71′); Gouiri Subs used: Aouar, Ghedjemis (for Aouar 90’+3′)
Austria: Schlager; Posch, Lienhart, Wöber, Mwene (Kalajdzic 90’+5′); Laimer, Wanner (Prass 80′); Sabitzer, Alaba, Daka (Gregoritsch 80′); Arnautovic
Half-time: 1-1
Round of 32: Austria vs Spain (Los Angeles) | Algeria vs Switzerland (Vancouver)
Records: Arnautovic — oldest Austrian to start a World Cup match (37 years, 70 days), multiple World Cup goals at 37+ (alongside Messi, Milla, Ronaldo). Belghali — youngest Algerian to score at a World Cup since 1982. Mahrez — first Algerian to score a World Cup goal aged 32+. Algeria — ninth of ten African teams to advance.
