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-all in the closing minutes, and Algeria looked as if it was 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. Its reward is a matchup with European champion Spain on Thursday in Los Angeles.
Rafik Belghali also scored for Les Fennecs, 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.
Iran would have advanced as one of the eight best third-place teams had Austria or Algeria won. But when Mahrez tied the game in the 60th minute, and the 2-2 score held the rest of the way, it was Team Melli that was sent home.
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lostrune2
And with that, Iran follows South Korea out of the World Cup. At least it puts an end to their having a miserable time there due to circumstances
This was almost revenge karma for Algeria against Austria's participation in the "Disgrace of Gijon" (1982 World Cup) that changed world football rules forever:
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/happened-austria-algeria-1982-disgrace-024903029.html
What was the Disgrace of Gijon?
Why it still stings for Algeria
Why World Cup games now kick off at the same time
lostrune2
Only Japan and Australia from Asia made it to the KO stage
Only Tunisia from Africa and only Uruguay from South America missed out on the KO stage
Peter14
The AFC flag being flown by Japan and Australia.
Japan faces a tough test against Brazil, while Australia gets it a little less difficult against Egypt. It would be nice to see both advance to the round of 16.
Seven other AFC nations headed home.
Plenty more football to come, and now extra time and penalties to decide drawn scores. Edge of your seat stuff yet to come.