Algeria v Austria
Play By Play
Six goals are equally shared in Kansas City as full-time rolls around in this World Cup classic. Algeria and Austria just couldn't be separated, with both sides ultimately putting on a show to end the day as they began. Marko Arnautovic gave Austria the lead in the 28th minute, chasing down a dropping long ball from David Alaba at the back before slotting past Oussama Benbot. Just before the break, Algeria hit the right post with Fares Chaibi, before five minutes later, they notched the leveller in fantastic fashion on the strike of half-time. Phillipp Mwene was caught out by a long pass hitting the corner flag as he got his body in front of Riyad Mahrez. They both tumbled, and Rafik Belghali took over, darting down the right byline before ball-rolling his way inside and powering past Alexander Schlager at his near post. Marcel Sabitzer dispatched a fine Konrad Laimer ball in from the right in the 55th minute to push Das Team back in front, yet, five minutes later, they'd be pegged back again as Riyad Mahrez slotted home after tenacious work from Houssem Aouar on the left. With both sides reeling, Algeria took up the majority of possession in the closing stages as the game looked to be ending 2-2. However, Aouar's eyes lit up in stoppage time as Mahrez burst into a space that had opened up in behind. Accordingly, he drove the ball back across and into the bottom left to seemingly give the sly Fennecs all three points. In the post-goal jubilation, the towering frame of Sasa Kalajdzic entered the fray. He required just one touch as he headed in from a well-delivered Michael Gregoritsch cross on the right. In a truly brilliant encounter, both sides outplayed their 1.62 and 1.44 xGs, respectively. Now, Austria will face Spain in the next round, while the Iran-sacrificing Algerians get ready for Switzerland, the team their manager Vladimir Petkovic coached. Right, with the dust now settling on a modern World Cup classic, it's time to say goodbye! We h
FULL-TIME: ALGERIA 3-3 AUSTRIA
Gregoritsch gets his first assist of the tournament. Austria have scored three goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half. No team has more in this World Cup.
GOOOOAAAAALLLLLLLL AUSTRIA! WHAT IS HAPPENING?! 3-3! The 6 ft 7 striker scores with his first touch as he latches onto a beautifully hung-up Gregoritsch cross from the right. He nods it back the way it came to make sure both sides go through as the dy began!
Mwene is sacrificed for another attacking option. What can the giant Sasa Kalajdzic do here?
Assist-happy Aouar is off now for Frosinone's Fares Ghedjemis.
It's another superb pass from Aouar for his second assist of the game. Great vision.
GOOOOAAALLLLLL! RIGHT AT THE DEATH, ALGERIA CREEP BEHIND AND MAKE IT 3-2! A big old passage of Algerian passing ends as space opens up in the right channel. Aouar slides the two-time Premier League winner into the box, and he tucks his shot into the bottom-left corner! They've robbed all three points, look to finish second, and face Spain!
Algeria are approaching the 700-pass mark.
Laimer is stretching mid-game. Algeria just keep on passing it around. It must be agonising stuff if you're an Iranian football fan.
Just past the 90th minute, then, and it looks like we'll see a minimum of four minutes of added time.
This game is slowly grinding to a halt. At least it's not been like this from minute one.
Possession, possession, possession. It's all Algeria.
Algeria win a free-kick midway through the Austrian half. It's played short to Bentaleb, whose lofted ball over finds an offside man.
Algerian possession has been solid in the last two minutes, even if the pace of the game has dropped a bit with both of these sides through.
In the group's other game, Lionel Messi has added another goal to his collection. With a fine, low free-kick, Argentina now lead 3-1 against Jordan.
Just how will this one end? As it stands, Iran are out of the best third-placed teams while Algeria and Austria go through to face Switzerland and Spain, respectively. This is the fifth time Algeria have scored multiple goals in a World Cup match. They won the previous four occurrences.
Algeria press brilliantly and get the ball back high. However, Austria react well and get bodies back before counterpressing. The white shirts then drift back around halfway.
Ait-Nouri nearly skips into space on the left, but a timely tackle halts his progress.
The final change sees the scorer of Algeria's brilliant first goal, Belghali, make way for Paris FC's Samir Chergui.
Following a relatively quiet evening, Gouiri heads off for Zineddine Belaid, who plays his football for JS Kabylie.
After a tireless performance at left-back, Hadjam is replaced by Manchester City's Rayan Ait-Nouri.
After the two teams take on vital liquids and cool themselves down with plenty of ice, we get back into the action.
We now head into the game's second hydration break.
Austria have a corner as Mwene plays the ball off his marker. Danso rises to the eventual delivery, yet he can only glance his header comfortably wide across goal.
