After ‘awkward’ Algeria-Austria finish, World Cup’s best story adds new chapter
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- Riyad Mahrez scored in the 93rd minute and seemed to give Algeria a 3-2 lead.
- Saša Kalajdžić scored in the 96th minute to level the match 3-3.
- Austria finished second and will play Spain, while Algeria faces Switzerland.
The match looked and felt over Saturday night even though 15 minutes remained to be played at Kansas City Stadium (aka Arrowhead).
Algeria and Austria had played an entertaining match to close out the group-stage round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. But each side scored twice, and both knew a draw would be enough to advance from Group J to the knockout round.
The match took on a conservative mood. But all of a sudden, Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez found himself alone in the penalty box and, well, the game was about to be turned on its head on the way to a 3-3 finish.
Afterward, Mahrez all but apologized for scoring his second goal of the match.
“I know it was a bit awkward, to be honest,” Mahrez said. “We were playing wide, and they were sitting. At the last minute, someone plays a ball inside, and it turns, I have to make the run. I have to respect football, and the ball arrived in front of the keeper, I have to score. I have to try to score like they try to score as well. When they were in front, they were winning 2-1.
“I know it’s an awkward situation, but it’s football. I have to respect it, and the good thing is — the good thing for them is they score and they qualify. We both qualify, and it’s the most important thing today.”
Mahrez scored in the 93rd minute and seemed to give Algeria a 3-2 win.
But hold the phone, that goal would have eliminated Austria, and the Austrians fought back. Saša Kalajdžić scored in the 96th minute on the last gasp of the match.
That bananas finish meant Austria ended up second in the group, while Algeria was third and also advanced.
Like Mahrez, Austria’s Marcel Sabitzer seemed slightly dazed following the topsy-turvy turn of events.
“Weird moments,” Sabitzer said. “It’s a draw normally, so you think you go through, and then one moment from Algeria, they have also top quality in the midfield, and Mahrez with a very good finish. Then you are emotionally down, but you need to get up until the final whistle. We did it, and we were very lucky at the end but very happy about that.”
Lawrence love affair continues
Saturday night’s tie means Austria will play Spain in the Round of 32, while Algeria takes on Switzerland. Both matches are Thursday.
Algeria had made it out of group play just once before, in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The Algerians lost to eventual champion Germany.
“It means a lot for us. It’s the second time in our history,” Mahrez said. “It’s not every time that you go next stage in the World Cup. That was the aim when we arrived there, the target. We have done it. We’re happy, I think we deserve it.”
Speaking of history, Algeria likely would have advanced in the 1982 World Cup, but two teams conspired to keep that from happening. It was West Germany and ... Austria. That game is still known as “The Disgrace of Gijón,” a nod to the Spanish city in which it was played.
Austria and Algeria met again Saturday, and despite concerns of a “Disgrace of Kansas City,” it instead became the “Drama of Kansas City.” The teams played the best group-stage match in the last game before the knockout round.
And the best story at the 2026 World Cup will add another chapter as Algeria continues to train in Lawrence. The city has embraced the North African team with the nickname “Desert Foxes,” to the delight of people on two continents.
Vladimir Petković, the usually stoic 62-year-old coach of Algeria, said he got goosebumps from the way Lawrence has treated his team.
On the wall behind the west goal at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium, a large banner hung in front of boisterous bunch of Algerian fans. It had this message: “Thank you Lawrence.”
After the match Algeria took the 45-minute bus ride back to Lawrence. Rather than pack to head home across the Atlantic Ocean, they will savor Saturday night’s bonkers tie, then get back to work.
“We are going to enjoy a bit tonight together,” Mahrez said, “and then tomorrow, we have to focus on the on Switzerland.”
The entire city of Lawrence will continue to be there, supporting Algeria every step of the way.
This story was originally published June 28, 2026 at 1:07 AM.
