Sasa Kalajdzic’s headed equaliser in the sixth minute of stoppage time sealed a 3-3 draw between Algeria and Austria in Kansas City, a result that propelled both nations into the World Cup’s round of 32 and eliminated Iran. The goal, which arrived barely 180 seconds after Riyad Mahrez had seemingly won the match for Algeria, capped a Group J finale of bewildering swings. Austria had led twice through Marko Arnautović and Marcel Sabitzer, only for Rafik Belghali and Mahrez to level on each occasion. When Mahrez struck again in the 93rd minute, Austria were heading out and Iran were poised to advance as one of the best third-placed teams; Kalajdzic’s intervention reversed that equation in an instant.

The draw suited both sides perfectly. Before kick-off, Argentina had already won the group with nine points, while Austria and Algeria each had three. A stalemate guaranteed both would reach four points and progress, with Austria taking second place and Algeria qualifying as a third-placed side. Any victory for either team would have eliminated the loser and sent Iran through. The symmetry immediately evoked the 1982 “Disgrace of Gijon”, when West Germany and Austria played out a mutually beneficial 1-0 win that knocked Algeria out of the tournament. Footage circulating on social media showed Austrian bench members gesticulating furiously after Mahrez’s late goal, then calming once an apparent assurance was given; other clips captured Algerian supporters celebrating Kalajdzic’s equaliser. Iranian fans, watching from Tehran, called for a FIFA investigation.

On the pitch, the second half had long periods of inertia. After Mahrez made it 2-2 on the hour, Algeria strung together over 700 passes while Austria declined to press with any intensity, the tempo dropping to a walking pace. Mahrez later described his go-ahead goal as “uncomfortable”, insisting he had no choice but to finish a through-ball that was played to him. “I have to respect football,” he said. Austria’s coach Ralf Rangnick rejected any suggestion of collusion, pointing to the chaotic final minutes as proof that no script could have foreseen such drama. Algeria’s Vladimir Petkovic said simply that “football won”.

Austria will now face Spain in Los Angeles, while Algeria travel to Vancouver to meet Switzerland. The result leaves Iran, who drew 1-1 with Egypt, as the highest-profile casualty of a group-stage finale that, however thrilling its closing seconds, will be remembered as much for the questions it raised as for the football it produced.