Algeria Reach Round of 32 After Six-Goal Thriller With Austria as Iran Exit World Cup

By Tahani Elghazaly
Published June 28, 2026

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Algeria booked their place in the Round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup after a dramatic 3-3 draw with Austria in their final Group J match, a result that allowed both teams to advance and ended Iran’s hopes of reaching the knockout stage. Austria finished second in the group, while Algeria went through as one of the best third-placed teams.

The match delivered one of the most intense finishes of the group stage. Riyad Mahrez appeared to have given Algeria a 3-2 victory with a stoppage-time goal in the 93rd minute, only for Austria substitute Sasa Kalajdzic to score almost immediately and make it 3-3, a final twist that sent both sides through.

The result was especially painful for Iran, which had been waiting on the outcome of the Austria-Algeria match in the race for the final third-place qualification spots. A different result could have changed the knockout picture, but the draw left Iran outside the Round of 32.

For Algeria, the draw was not only enough to keep their World Cup campaign alive; it also added another Arab team to the knockout-stage story of the tournament. After a tense and unpredictable group finale, Algeria now move into a stage where every match becomes a direct elimination test.

Algeria will face Switzerland in the Round of 32 at BC Place in Vancouver on Thursday, July 2, at 8:00 p.m. Pacific Time. The winner of that match will move on to the Round of 16 on July 7.

Austria, meanwhile, will face Spain in Los Angeles on July 2, after surviving a match that had raised questions before kickoff about whether a draw might suit both teams. Austria coach Ralf Rangnick dismissed any suggestion of collusion after the match, pointing to the late goals and dramatic finish as evidence of a genuine contest.