Algeria 3-3 Austria: Injury-Time Drama Sees Both Teams Advance After Incredible Chase
Algeria and Austria played out a thrilling 3-3 draw in Kansas City, with Sasa Kalajdzic's 96th-minute equalizer rescuing Austria after Riyad Mahrez had put Algeria ahead in stoppage time, sending both teams through to the Round of 32.
Algeria 3-3 Austria: Injury-Time Drama Sees Both Teams Advance After Incredible Chase
Algeria and Austria knew that a draw would suit both teams perfectly, but they delivered a goalfest instead of a pedestrian 90 minutes. Austria took the lead in the 28th minute when Marko Arnautovic got in behind to finish from David Alaba's long pass.
Algeria equalized just before half-time through Rafik Belghali's individual brilliance in the 45th minute. Austria regained the lead in the 55th minute when Marcel Sabitzer fired home from Konrad Laimer's assist.
However, Riyad Mahrez began to make his mark five minutes later, finishing subtly from Houssem Aouar's pass to level at 2-2. As the match ticked into stoppage time, Algeria looked content to run out the clock until Mahrez was played in on goal in the 93rd minute and showed no mercy with his finish, putting Algeria 3-2 ahead.
Austria's players and supporters looked sick, but Ralf Rangnick's last roll of the dice paid off. He threw on giant striker Sasa Kalajdzic, and in the 96th minute, Kalajdzic met Michael Gregoritsch's headed pass to spark wild scenes of celebration and secure a 3-3 draw. The result sent Austria through as Group J runners-up to face Spain, while Algeria advanced as a best third-placed team to face Switzerland .
Source: TrendyBeatz
