Photos: Inside Algeria-Austria game with dramatic World Cup finish in KC
By Dominick Williams ,
Emily Curiel and
Travis Heying
Spirits ran high for most of the night at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium as Austria and Algeria faced off, both on the verge of punching their tickets to the next round of the global tournament.
Both groups of fans put on a good showing to wrap up the group-stage games, and all could be seen celebrating after each of the three goals from their country’s athletes.
The game wrapped up 3-3, including surprising goals for each side during stoppage time.
Boos could be heard for a few minutes leading up to the final goals, as both teams played it safe, knowing a draw was a preferred outcome for advancing to the next round. But then came the two shock goals, leaving both teams celebrating after the game.
Go on the field with The Star’s photojournalists for one more match of group-stage play.
Algerian fans put up a banner expressing their gratitude of the city of Lawrence before their team's match against Austria at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, June 27, 2026. Travis Heying The Wichita Eagle
Austria fans wait for the World Cup game between Algeria and Austria to begin at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium on Saturday, June 27, 2026. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Algeria midfielder Farès Chaïbi (10) makes a kick during the first half of the World Cup game between Algeria and Austria at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium on Saturday, June 27, 2026. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Fans pack Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium for the World Cup game between Algeria and Austria on Saturday, June 27, 2026. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Austria midfielder Marcel Sabitzer (9) makes a dive while being guarded by Algeria defender Rafik Belghali (17) during the World Cup game between Algeria and Austria at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium on Saturday, June 27, 2026. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Austria fans react to their team getting their first goal in the first half of the World Cup game between Algeria and Austria at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium on Saturday, June 27, 2026. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Algeria midfielder Nabil Bentaleb (19) takes a drink during a hydration break in the first half of the World Cup game between Algeria and Austria at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium on Saturday, June 27, 2026. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Algeria defender Jaouen Hadjam (13) tries to save a ball from Austria midfielder Romano Schmid (18) during the first half of the World Cup game between Algeria and Austria at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium on Saturday, June 27, 2026. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Austria goalkeeper Alexander Schlager (1) fails to make a save on an Algeria goal during the World Cup game between Algeria and Austria at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium on Saturday, June 27, 2026. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Algeria defender Rafik Belghali (17) celebrates after a goal during the World Cup game between Algeria and Austria at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium on Saturday, June 27, 2026. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Austria defender Philipp Lienhart (15) just misses a header during a corner kick against Algeria during a FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, June 27, 2026. Travis Heying The Wichita Eagle
Austria midfielder Konrad Laimer (20) leaps over Algeria defender Ramy Bensebaini (21) during a FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, June 27, 2026. Travis Heying The Wichita Eagle
Algeria forward Riyad Mahrez (7) scores his second goal during the second half of a FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match against Austria at Kansas City Stadium on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Austria forward Marko Arnautovic (7) scores a goal against Algeria goalkeeper Oussama Benbot (16) during a FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, June 27, 2026. Travis Heying The Wichita Eagle
Algeria defender Rafik Belghali (17) celebrates a goal against Austria during a FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, June 27, 2026. Travis Heying The Wichita Eagle
A full moon rises over Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, June 27, 2026. Travis Heying The Wichita Eagle
Fans who caught a ball that was kicked into the stands take a selfie during a FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match between Austria and Algeria at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, June 27, 2026. Travis Heying The Wichita Eagle
Austria defender Kevin Danso (3) head the ball during the World Cup game between Algeria and Austria at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium on Saturday, June 27, 2026. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Algeria forward Riyad Mahrez (7) scores goal past Austria goalkeeper Alexander Schlager (1) in stoppage time during a FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, June 27, 2026. Travis Heying The Wichita Eagle
Algerian fans celebrate their team's draw against Austria to advance to the round of 31after a FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, June 27, 2026. Travis Heying The Wichita Eagle
Austrian players celebrate after a last-minute goal by Austria in a FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, June 27, 2026. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Algeria midfielder Adil Boulbina (20) waves his country's flag after a draw with Austria moved Algeria to the round of 32. Travis Heying The Wichita Eagle
Austria goalkeeper Alexander Schlager (1) congratulates teammate Austria midfielder Marcel Sabitzer (9) after they played Algeria to a draw after a FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, June 27, 2026. Travis Heying The Wichita Eagle
Fans celebrate after a last minute goal by Austria in a FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, June 27, 2026. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
This story was originally published June 28, 2026 at 12:38 AM.
Emily Curiel, is a visual journalist at The Star. With a broad scope of coverage, Curiel navigates subjects including breaking news, sports, features and long-form narratives. She is a first-generation graduate from San Francisco State University and a native of Los Angeles.
