Austria and Algeria through after six-goal thriller
Austria and Algeria qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 after playing out an action-packed draw in their final Group J game at Kansas City Stadium. Riyad Mahrez scored the go-ahead goal in the third minute of added time, only for Sasa Kalajdzic to level in the final moments and send both through.
Defending champions Argentina were already confirmed as group winners. Austria advanced as runners-up, setting up a meeting with Spain at Los Angeles Stadium on 2 July. Algeria progressed as one of the eight best third-placed teams and will face Switzerland in Vancouver on the same day. Austria opened the scoring in the 28th minute when Marko Arnautovic finished under Oussama Benbot. Rafik Belghali leveled for Algeria. Austria retook the lead early in the second half as Marcel Sabitzer scored, but their advantage lasted just five minutes when Riyad Mahrez swept home. Kalajdzic's goal confirmed Austria's progression beyond the group stage for the first time since 1982, while Algeria reached the knockout rounds for the second time following their run in 2014.
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Algeria and Austria faced off in a crucial FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J match at Kansas City Stadium. The outcome of this thrilling encounter would
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