Six-goal thriller sends Algeria and Austria through

Algeria and Austria served up a breathless 3-3 draw at Arrowhead Stadium, a wild contest that carried both nations into the knockout rounds and eliminated Iran from the best-third reckoning. End-to-end and packed with quality finishing, the game swung repeatedly, but the point ultimately suited both sides as they booked their places in the last 32.

How it unfolded: a screamer, a record and a post struck

Marcel Sabitzer lit up the night with a stunning long-range strike for Austria, while Algeria hit back through Rafik Belghali, who jinked past three defenders, and a late leveller from captain Riyad Mahrez, set up by Houssem Aouar. Austria also scored through veteran Marko Arnautovic — at 37 years and 58 days the oldest scorer of the tournament so far — with a third goal apiece keeping the game level. Algeria came closest to a winner when Fares Chaibi struck the post late, but 3-3 it stayed.

Context: high stakes behind the chaos

The draw confirmed qualification for both teams and, crucially, pushed Iran out of the best-third places — a cruel end for a side that gave plenty in Group G. Algeria's attacking verve through Belghali and Mahrez marks them as a side capable of hurting anyone, while Ralf Rangnick's Austria mix power and experience, typified by Arnautovic's record-setting strike. Both will reflect on the finest of margins, with Chaibi's post the pivotal moment that could have changed the night entirely. For all the chaos, it was the kind of open, attacking spectacle the tournament thrives on.

The table: both advance, Iran out

Austria finished second in Group J on four points and Algeria third on four, behind winners Argentina; Jordan exit at the bottom. Austria meet Spain in the Round of 32, Algeria face Switzerland among the best thirds, while Iran are eliminated. Our forecast of under 2.5 goals missed badly in a six-goal thriller, undone by a wildly open contest neither side sought to control.