Austria’s reward for incredible finish to Saturday’s match in KC is no prize
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Austria tied Algeria 3-3 after a frenetic stoppage-time adventure to advance.
- Austria finished second in Group J and was drawn with Spain in the Round of 32.
- Marcel Sabitzer said Austria must be at their maximum to compete with Spain.
Austria was in a difficult position going into their final Group J match against Algeria in Kansas City.
Win, and they would have to face defending European champion Spain in the Round of 32.
Tie, and the scenario was the same: a meeting with Spain, one of this World Cup’s heavyweights.
Lose, and their World Cup was over.
There was no middle ground. Austria ended up tying Algeria 3-3 but only after a frenetic and heart-stopping few minutes before the final whistle.
Whew, what a relief for Austria to advance.
But also: Whew, now it has to face Spain on Thursday in a win-or-go-home match. And this Spanish side went 2-0-1 in group play without conceding a goal.
”First of all, it will be a tough game,” Austria’s Marcel Sabitzer acknowledged. “Spain is a strong opponent with a lot of quality in possession. They have top quality players, so we’re aware of that, but we need also moments against the ball (and) with the ball and find a good momentum.
“But we know that we face a very strong opponent, we need to be on our maximum, and if we are, then we can compete against everyone.”
Here’s the rub to this crazy Austrian tale: The team finished second in Group J and was drawn with Spain (No. 3 in FIFA world rankings). Algeria was third and faces Switzerland (No. 16).
Does that seem fair?
Sabitzer, whose 55th minute goal put Austria up 2-1, was having none of it.
“I’m not here to talk about that,” he said. “It’s the rule, and we have to take it, and we just wanted to win that game. We were not thinking about anything else, but that’s the system, and we have to take it.”
