A dramatic 3-3 draw between Algeria and Austria at the 2026 World Cup has reignited memories of one of football's darkest controversies — and both teams are pushing back hard against suggestions that history repeated itself.

The ghost of Gijon

In 1982, West Germany and Austria played out a 1-0 result in their final group match at the World Cup in Spain. The scoreline sent both sides through at Algeria's expense, and the match became known as the Disgrace of Gijon — a byword for collusion in football. That shadow has trailed Austria and Algeria for 44 years.

At the 2026 World Cup, the two nations were drawn together again in Group J, with a final-day encounter in Kansas City that carried the same brutal arithmetic: a draw would eliminate Iran and advance both Algeria and Austria into the knockout stage.

What unfolded in Kansas City

The match appeared straightforward enough in its early stages. Marko Arnautovic opened the scoring in the 28th minute, with neither side threatening to run away with it. Rafik Belghali equalised on the stroke of half-time before Marcel Sabitzer restored Austria's lead in the 55th minute.

Riyad Mahrez levelled for the second time five minutes later, sending the match into a 2-2 stalemate that sparked immediate suspicion online. Then, in the 93rd minute, Mahrez — Algeria's captain — slotted home what appeared to be a match-winning third. That goal would have eliminated Austria and sent Iran through, following their 1-1 draw with Egypt.

Seconds later, Sasa Kalajdzic headed in a 96th-minute equaliser to make it 3-3, preserving both sides' progress and leaving Iran eliminated.

Conspiracy or chaos?

Iranian supporters were furious, calling on FIFA to investigate and circulating clips on social media. Austria's players were accused of deliberately strolling while Algeria drew level. Footage also emerged appearing to show a confrontation between the two benches following Mahrez's goal, with some interpreting it as frustration that the scoreline had been disrupted. A separate video showed Algeria defender Aissa Mandi whispering to Mahrez, whose expression appeared confused — one social media post claimed Mandi was informing the captain that a win, rather than a draw, would match Algeria against Spain in the last 32 instead of Switzerland.

Austria boss Ralf Rangnick rejected any suggestion of collusion.