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Mahrez double sends Algeria into round of 32 as Messi makes history
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Reading Time: 3min | Sun. 28.06.26. | 07:14
Algeria progressed as one of the best third-placed teams with the same tally, while Jordan bowed out after losing all three of their group fixtures.
Algeria secured a place in the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a dramatic 3-3 draw with Austria in their decisive Group J clash at Kansas City Stadium on Sunday, while Argentina completed a perfect group-stage campaign with a 3-1 victory over Jordan at Dallas Stadium.
A pulsating contest in Kansas City saw both Algeria and Austria finish on four points, enough to send the Europeans through as Group J runners-up and the Desert Foxes into the knockout stage as one of the tournament's best third-placed teams. Argentina topped the group with a maximum nine points, while Jordan exited without a point.
Austria struck first in the 28th minute when Marko Arnautovic latched onto David Alaba's precise long pass before calmly sliding the ball beneath the advancing goalkeeper.
Algeria almost responded immediately as Fares Chaibi rattled the post with a powerful long-range effort, and they eventually found the equaliser just before half-time.
Rafik Belghali took advantage after an Austrian defender failed to see the ball out of play, with it rebounding off the corner flag and remaining in play. The defender cut inside before firing a close-range finish into the roof of the net.
Austria regained the lead 10 minutes after the restart through Marcel Sabitzer, who arrived perfectly to meet Konrad Laimer's cross and swept a first-time finish into the corner.
Algeria again hit back almost instantly, with captain Riyad Mahrez drifting unmarked to the back post before steering home from close range to level the contest at 2-2.
The match exploded into life in stoppage time. Mahrez was sent clear on goal and kept his composure to slot past the goalkeeper, giving Algeria what looked to be a dramatic winner that would have eliminated Austria.
However, Austria produced one final response. Deep into added time, a cross from the left was headed back across goal for substitute Sasa Kalajdzic, who nodded home from close range with virtually the last touch of the match to rescue a thrilling 3-3 draw.
Although denied victory at the death, Algeria's point proved sufficient to seal qualification for the Round of 32 as one of the best third-placed teams.
Meanwhile, at Dallas Stadium, already-qualified Argentina rounded off the group stage with a comfortable 3-1 win over Jordan despite resting captain Lionel Messi for the opening hour.
Giovani Lo Celso opened the scoring in the 19th minute with a superb free-kick into the top corner before Lautaro Martinez doubled the lead from the penalty spot in the 31st minute after a VAR review awarded Argentina a spot-kick for a foul on Marcos Senesi.
Jordan briefly threatened a comeback in the 55th minute when substitute Mousa Al Tamari finished Ehsan Haddad's inviting low cross to reduce the deficit.
Messi entered the match in the 59th minute to a standing ovation and put the result beyond doubt in the 80th minute, curling a trademark free-kick into the bottom corner after Jordan conceded a foul on the edge of the area.
The goal was Messi's sixth of the tournament and his 19th at the FIFA World Cup, making him the first player to score in seven consecutive World Cup matches.
Argentina comfortably closed out the victory to finish top of Group J with three wins from three matches. Austria advanced as runners-up on four points, Algeria progressed as one of the best third-placed teams with the same tally, while Jordan bowed out after losing all three of their group fixtures.
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WORLD CUP - GROUP STAGE (ROUND 3)
Group J
Sunday
Algeria-Austria 3-3 (1-1)
/Belghali 45', Mahrez 60, 90+3-Arnautovic 28', Sabitzer 55', Kalajdzic 90+5'/
Jordan-Argentina 1-3 (0-2)
/Tamari 55'-Lo Celso 19, Lautaro 31, Messi 80'/