World Cup 2026: Mahrez and a 96th-minute equaliser settle Algeria 3-3 Austria

Six goals, two stoppage-time twists in Kansas City

There are sensible draws and there are this one. At Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Algeria and Austria played out a 3-3 in their Group J fixture at the World Cup 2026, a match that flirted with a result and then refused to commit to it.

Algeria did most of the football. They held 65% of possession, registered 1.59 expected goals (xG, the quality of chances created) to Austria's 1.18, and carved out three big chances to Austria's one. Riyad Mahrez scored twice, the second in the third minute of stoppage time, and for a moment that looked like the story. Then Sasa Kalajdzic headed in deep into added time and the story rewrote itself.

A point apiece, then, on a clear and pleasant night. Neither side will be entirely satisfied, and neither can complain too loudly.

Who Tantashev sent out at Arrowhead

From Arnautovic's opener to Kalajdzic's 96th

Austria struck first. Marko Arnautovic — already booked on eleven minutes — converted David Alaba's assist on 28 to put his side ahead. Algeria's response arrived right on the stroke of half-time, Rayan Belghali levelling it at 45.

Austria reshuffled at the interval, sending on Michael Gregoritsch, Florian Grillitsch and Paul Wanner, and the changes paid off when Marcel Sabitzer restored the lead on 55, set up by Konrad Laimer. Algeria's answer was swift and familiar: Mahrez, fed by Houssem Aouar, made it 2-2 on the hour.

The game then settled into Algeria's rhythm without quite breaking. Mahrez found the breakthrough in the 93rd minute, Aouar again the provider, and Algeria looked to have won it. They had not. In the sixth minute of stoppage time, substitute Kalajdzic met Gregoritsch's delivery to make it 3-3 and steal the last word for Austria.

Backing Austria 2-1, handed a 3-3 instead

The futbol.so community leaned towards Austria here, with a 1-2 Algeria defeat the most popular scoreline. That consensus ran across borders — Colombia and Argentina both fancied Austria, England too, all expecting a narrow Austrian win.

Reality split the difference and then some. Austria did lead, twice, which the predictions got right in spirit. But Algeria's xG edge and territorial control eventually told, and the six-goal draw belonged to nobody's forecast. The official model had it closest, calling a draw the likeliest outcome. For once, the cautious number won the argument.

Video highlights

Finale folle in ALGERIA-AUSTRIA che passano grazie al pari 🤯 È la gara della discordia dei Mondiali❓

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Craziest game of the World Cup so far? 🤔 #fifaworldcup #algeria #austria

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Alt Cast Highlights: Algeria v Austria | FIFA World Cup 2026™

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Highlights | Algeria 3-3 Austria | FIFA World Cup 2026™

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FIFA WC 2026 | Algeria - Austria 3:3 | Group J | 3. kolo

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HIGHLIGHTS - Algeria v Austria | Thrilling Game in Group J | FIFA World Cup 2026

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Doppietta MAHREZ e finale PAZZO: Algeria-Austria 3-3 | FIFA World Cup | DAZN Highlights

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Algeria Train Before Austria | FIFA World Cup 2026™

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Algeria 🆚 Austria #FIFAWorldCupOnYT

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Résumé : ALGÉRIE – AUTRICHE, Le MATCH LE PLUS FOU de cette COUPE DU MONDE ! (J3)

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World Cup: Algeria vs Austria

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World Cup: Algeria vs Austria

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World Cup: Algeria vs Austria

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World Cup: Algeria vs Austria

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Two matches played, three points each, and Group J still refuses to settle. Algeria sit third with a goal difference of minus two, Austria second on level points; neither is through and neither is out. The final round of fixtures will decide it, and as a provisional third Algeria will need results elsewhere to fall kindly. On this evidence, they have the football to make their case — they just need to stop conceding in stoppage time.