Goal-scorer Kalajdzic: "I got 500 slaps"

The ÖFB team is left speechless, but also overjoyed, after the incredible 3-3 draw against Algeria.

Source text: © LAOLA1

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Austria is in the World Cup Round of 32 after arguably one of the craziest games in Austrian football history.

After an absolute nail-biting finish, Austria drew 3-3 against Algeria and, as group runner-up, qualified for a World Cup knockout round for the first time since 1982 (To the match report>>>).

No Disgrace of Kansas City

However, for a long time, it didn't look particularly exciting. Because, after Algeria equalized in the 60th minute through Riyad Mahrez, both teams merely passed the ball back and forth in their own ranks for a long time.

Memories of the "Disgrace of Gijon" were awakened, but just as everything pointed to a draw, Mahrez scored again in the 3rd minute of stoppage time, hitting the Austrians right in the heart, as the ÖFB team would have been eliminated with a defeat.

But with the very last action of the game, Sasa Kalajdzic, following a header assist from Michael Gregoritsch, managed to score the widely celebrated equalizer.

"We were in shock"

Kalajdzic was somewhat speechless immediately after the match: "I don't even know what happened now. It happened so fast, we were all in shock. But then you just need one goal, and thankfully it came."

After the goal, the entire ÖFB bench rushed towards the LASK attacker and celebrated him.

"I think I got 500 slaps. I'll have to see if I need to go to the hospital for a concussion," Kalajdzic said with a chuckle.

"Now they should keep drinking"

Marko Arnautovic, who gave the ÖFB team the lead in the 28th minute, was disbelieving about what had happened after the match: "I couldn't believe it, I still can't believe it."

Thanks to their advancement, Austria will now play against Spain on Thursday (9:00 PM in the LIVE ticker>>>) for a spot in the Round of 16.

Arnautovic also looked ahead after the match: "We will recover for a few days now, and then it's against Spain, and we will give everything against Spain."

Marcel Sabitzer, who scored the temporary 2-1, also addressed the fans: "We briefly held their (the fans') breath, but now they should keep drinking."