An extraordinary climax to a Group J clash in Kansas City produced one of the FIFA World Cup 2026's most dramatic finishes — a 3-3 draw between Algeria and Austria that sent both nations through to the last-32 and ended Iran's tournament.

Austria looked dead and buried when Riyad Mahrez cut through in the third minute of added time, coolly slotting home to put Algeria ahead and seemingly condemn their opponents to elimination. Iran, watching from afar, must have believed their place in the knockouts was secured.

But Austria manager Ralf Rangnick had one throw of the dice remaining. He introduced towering substitute Sasa Kalajdzic, and in the 96th minute the big striker met a headed flick-on from Michael Gregoritsch to nod home and ignite wild scenes of celebration at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium before an attendance of 69,045.

A match that defied all expectations

The meeting had been billed as a potential stalemate — two sides content to play for the point each needed. The football told an entirely different story, with six goals, a string of near-misses, and a finale that left players and supporters from both camps utterly drained.

Austria drew first blood in the 28th minute when David Alaba clipped a delicate pass over Algeria's defence for Marko Arnautovic, who ran clear and scuffed a finish past goalkeeper Oussama Benbot. Algeria responded with sustained pressure — Ibrahim Maza hitting the side-netting, Fares Chaibi rattling the post — before Rafik Belghali levelled in the 44th minute, bursting into the box and thrashing a finish high into the net after Phillipp Mwene surrendered possession in the corner.

Marcel Sabitzer restored Austria's advantage on 55 minutes, meeting Konrad Laimer's low cut-back with a firm, composed strike. Mahrez, however, had other ideas — the Algeria captain latching onto Houssem Aouar's left-flank cross six minutes later to slam home and make it 2-2.

With the clock running down, both teams appeared to accept the draw. Then Aouar threaded Mahrez through with Algeria's first decisive moment of the closing stages, and Mahrez showed no mercy — 3-2 to Algeria in the 90+3'.

Austria's desperation in the closing seconds proved the difference. Kalajdzic, barely on the pitch, towered above the defence to nod home Gregoritsch's pass in the 96th minute, sparking jubilant scenes and simultaneously crushing Iran's hopes.

What comes next

Algeria, finishing third in Group J, will face Switzerland in the last-32. Austria, runners-up, meet European champions Spain — a formidable reward for surviving the most dramatic of escapes.