Austria draw with Algeria in World Cup thriller to progress and send Iran home

KANSAS CITY, Missouri, June 28 : Austria and Algeria played out a thrilling 3-3 draw on Saturday after two stoppage-time goals, a result that sent both sides into the World Cup last 32 and ended Iran's hopes of reaching the knockout stage as one of the best third-placed sides.

The drama reached its peak deep in added time when Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez sparked wild celebrations with what he thought was the winning goal, only for Austria to launch one final attack and snatch an equaliser through Sasa Kalajdzic's header in the 96th minute, seconds after he entered the game.

Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" fittingly blared over the Kansas City Stadium's loudspeakers after the final whistle in the Group J finale, as both sides celebrated.

Argentina topped the group, while Austria finished second and will face Spain in the knockout stage. Algeria advanced as one of the best third-placed sides and will meet Switzerland.

The two teams kicked off level on three points, with a draw enough to send Austria and Algeria into the Round of 32.

The prospect of a mutually beneficial result dominated the build-up, prompting irritated responses from both coaches when the subject was raised at Friday's pre-game press conferences.

The match also carried echoes of one of the World Cup's most notorious controversies, coming 44 years after the "Disgrace of Gijon", when Austria's 1-0 win over West Germany in 1982 eliminated Algeria and changed the tournament forever.

However, few could argue that the two teams were playing for a draw in Saturday's back-and-forth thriller.

ARNAUTOVIC SCORES WITH GAME'S FIRST SHOT ON TARGET

Austria opened the scoring through Marko Arnautovic in the 28th minute with the game's first shot on target.

The 37-year-old