Austria and Algeria played to a thrilling 3-3 draw Saturday night in what amounted to a win-win result in their World Cup group-stage finale, allowing both to advance to the knockout round while eliminating Iran from the tournament.
The game was tied 2-2 in the closing minutes, and Algeria looked as if they were content to run out the clock, when captain Riyad Mahrez scored his second goal with about a minute left in stoppage time. That put Austria on the verge of elimination, only for Sasa Kalajdzic to head in the equalizing goal moments later and rescue Das Team’s World Cup hopes.
Marko Arnautovic and Marcel Sabitzer also had goals for Austria, which finished second behind Argentina in Group J to advance for the first time since 1982. Their reward is a matchup with European champions Spain on Thursday in the Los Angeles area.
Rafik Belghali also scored for Algeria, who became the ninth of 10 teams from Africa to advance. They finished third in the group but get a potentially easier round of 32 showdown with Switzerland on Thursday night in Vancouver, British Columbia.
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Iran would have advanced as one of the eight best third-place teams had Austria or Algeria won. But when Kalajdzic scored in stoppage time to tie the game one last time, it meant Team Melli was eliminated in heartbreaking fashion.
It was one last painful moment for Iran in a World Cup that’s been tumultuous, on and off the pitch.
The Iranians have been playing while Tehran negotiates with Washington on terms of a deal meant to permanently end the war that began earlier this year
During the World Cup, Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei and players complained about numerous complications, including travel restrictions, visa denials for support staff and quick departures from the U.S. after matches.
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U.S. officials have said all restrictions were known before the tournament.
In March, Iran sought to move its group-stage matches to Mexico, with which it has diplomatic ties. Its request to move its base camp from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana was granted two weeks before the team’s arrival.
The first three World Cup matches at Arrowhead Stadium had seen the home of the Kansas City Chiefs flooded in the light blue of Argentina, yellow of Ecuador and highlighter orange of the Netherlands. But in Kansas City’s group finale, the Algeria green and red of the Austrians were complemented by thousands of locals just happy to score a less expensive World Cup ticket.
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Many of those locals appeared to be rooting for Algeria, who have made their training base in nearby Lawrence, Kansas, and has struck up a unique friendship with the small college town home to the University of Kansas.
Few of those new fans of Les Fennecs probably know about the “Disgrace of Gijón.”
Yet longtime Algeria supporters had been waiting 44 years for some World Cup revenge. At the 1982 tournament, Austria and West Germany seemingly quit playing after the latter took a 1-0 lead, because that outcome ensured both would advance at the expense of Algeria, who protested to FIFA to no avail and were eliminated from the World Cup.
Some were curious whether the expanded 48-team field would result in a “Disgrace of Kansas City,” because both teams knew by kickoff that a draw would send them through. Instead, the crowd of 69,045 was treated to a dramatic 90-plus minutes.
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Austria struck first when Arnautovic perfectly timed his run between the two Algerian center backs, found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Oussama Benbot, and overcame a stumble to score his record-extending 49th career goal for his nation.
Algeria answered just before halftime, when Belghali’s left-footed shot easily beat Austria goalkeeper Alexander Schlager.
The frenetic pace continued in the second half on a hot night in Kansas City.
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Not content with a 1-1 draw, Austria’s Konrad Laimer sent a sharp pass across the field that Sabitzer finished to regain the lead — and give Iran some hope — only for Algeria to answer minutes later, when Mahrez scored off a perfect cross from Houssem Aouar.
Algeria took control down the stretch, playing keep-away as the crowd grew antsy. But just when it seemed both teams were happy to run out the clock, Mahrez and Kalajdzic provided them with some lasting fireworks in stoppage time.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
