A breathtaking six-goal draw between Algeria and Austria on Saturday evening secured progression to the knockout rounds for both sides, while simultaneously ending Iran's hopes of advancing at the 2026 World Cup.

The 3-3 result in what was the group-stage finale for the three nations proved to be a mutual lifeline — Algeria and Austria both collecting the point each needed to move forward, leaving Iran without a path to the next round.

The Desert Foxes now advance to the knockout stage of a World Cup for the first time in decades, a result that will be celebrated across Algeria and the wider African football community.