Last-Minute Madness! Austria reach knockout stage after wild match

The Austria national team advances to the knockout stage of the 2026 World Cup after a wild match against Algeria, which ends 3-3!

After a period of calm in the final phase, Mahrez puts the Algerians ahead after 93 minutes, and all seemed lost - but Kalajdzic heads Red-White-Red to glory with the very last action!

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Arnautovic with 49th Austria Goal

The first quarter of an hour of the match is mostly marked by both teams feeling each other out. Schlager (8.) tries a shot, and in return, Maza attempts one at Austria's goal (10.), but both efforts miss the target quite clearly.

After eleven minutes, Arnautovic sees yellow for hitting his opponent in the face during a tackle.

Highlights remained rare in the following minutes, but then came the shock: After a superb long ball from Alaba, Arnautovic is on hand and artistically places the ball past Algeria's goalkeeper Benbot - 1-0, his 49th goal for the Austria team (28.).

Spectacular Equalizer

Both teams seem awakened by the goal, and the game goes back and forth. Arnautovic has the chance for 2-0 but is offside (30.), and at the other end, Belghali has a one-on-one opportunity with Austria keeper Schlager but misses the goal (32.). Immediately afterwards, Laimer fails from a tight angle against Benbot (33.).

In the 39th minute, the woodwork saves Austria: A shot from Chaibi hits the post - luck for Rangnick's side! Algeria keeps pushing and manages to equalize before the break. Belghali gets to the ball at the left edge of the penalty area and executes a solo run through the Red-White-Red defense, which he finishes with the 1-1 into the near corner (45.).

Shortly after, it's halftime. Rangnick makes three changes: Grillitsch, Gregoritsch, and Wanner come on for Xaver Schlager, Arnautovic, and Schmid.

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Sabitzer Gives Austria the Lead Again

After the restart, Algeria controls the ball, but without posing a major threat. A shot from Chaibi is easy pickings for Schlager (54.).

The resulting Austrian attack leads to the 2-1. Laimer lays it back from the right to the edge of the penalty area, where Sabitzer runs in and strikes precisely into the right corner (55.).

But again, the lead doesn't last long. The marking in the Austria defense is missing, Aouar lays it across the six-yard box, and Mahrez shoots to equalize (60.).

Shortly after, captain Alaba's shift is also over. He is replaced by Danso (62.).

Crazy Final Phase

After the equalizer, the Austria team tries again to gain more control of the game and threatens with a well-struck shot from Seiwald, which goes just over (65.).

After the cooling break, the game visibly flattens out. Both teams let the ball circulate among their ranks. Both teams show that they no longer want to take risks.

But then, suddenly, everything went wild! The Austria defense seemed mentally already in the changing room when a through-ball from Aouar finds Mahrez in the 93rd minute, who actually makes it 3-2 (90.+3) - presumably plunging the Austria team into a valley of tears.

However, Kalajdzic, who was substituted in immediately after the equalizer, becomes the big hero: After a long Sabitzer cross, Gregoritsch heads it back, and Kalajdzic is on hand to nod in for a sensational 3-3.

Just moments later, the game ends. Both teams thus reach the round of 16. Austria will face Spain (Thursday 9:00 PM CEST), Algeria will face Switzerland.

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Match Highlights in VIDEO: