Austria survive huge scare to progress with Algeria and knock Iran out

Super-sub Sasa Kalajdzic saved Austria's World Cup with a last-gasp equaliser after Algeria had stunned their Group J rivals deep into stoppage time in a thrilling 3-3 draw, which saw both sides progress to the last-32 and Iran knocked out.

It seemed Austria and Algeria were happy to settle for a point which suited them perfectly as the clock ticked into the final minute of the scheduled added time - but Riyad Mahrez was suddenly played in on goal and showed no mercy with his finish.

Austria's players and supporters looked sick, surely eliminated by a goal which would send Algeria second in the group and leave Austria without enough to qualify as one of the best third-placed teams.

But Austria boss Ralf Rangnick's last role of the dice paid off.

He threw on giant striker Sasa Kalajdzic and in the 96th minute, with Austria desperately launching the ball into the Algeria area, Kalajdzic met Michael Gregoritsch's headed pass to spark wild scenes of celebration.

As it happened | Teams | Stats | Group J guide

World Cup day-by-day schedule | Latest: World Cup

Follow our World Cup coverage in the Sky Sports App

It was a crushing blow for Iran, who would have been watching on believing Mahrez's late strike had saved them. But it was pure relief for Austria who had twice led in Kansas City and, despite being twice pegged back, had never looked like going out until the final seconds.

It had been feared this match would have been a pedestrian 90 minutes of two teams playing out a draw. Other than the final result, that prediction couldn't have been more wrong.

Also See:

Group J guide in full

World Cup day-by-day schedule

World Cup news and live updates

World Cup tables

After the most incredible finish to the World Cup's group phase, Austria will now face European champions Spain in the last-32, while Algeria take on Switzerland.

What the result means...

The key moments from Kansas City...

28: GOAL! David Alaba clips a pass over the top and it is easy as you like for Marko Arnautovic to run in behind and scuff a finish past the keeper.

32: CHANCE! Rafik Belghali gets into the box in the right channel but he drives his shot just wide of the far post.

33: SAVE! Algeria keeper Oussama Benbot keeps out Konrad Laimer's shot from a tight angle.

36: SIDE-NETTING! It's great play from Ibrahim Maza to jink his way into the Austria area but he fires the wrong side of the post.

40: OFF THE POST! It's a thunderbolt from outside the box from Fares Chaibi - but he strikes the upright.

44: GOAL! Phillipp Mwene loses the ball in the corner and Belghali bursts into the box, cuts back and thumps the ball high into the net for 1-1.

55: GOAL! It's a fantastic finish from Marcel Sabitzer who meets Laimer's low pass across the edge of the box with a firm strike.

60: GOAL! Super play from Houssem Aouar down the left and his cross goes through the box where it is met by Mahrez who slams in a second equaliser of the night for Algeria.

90+3: GOAL! Into the final minute of the scheduled stoppage time and after both sides had been seemingly playing for a draw, Aouar played Mahrez through and he showed no mercy with his finish. Austria were heading out, Algeria up to second and Iran into the last-32.

90+6: GOAL! Sub Sasa Kalajdzic had been thrown on - and seconds later headed in a nodded pass from Michael Gregoritsch to save Austria's World Cup campaign.

Player ratings:

Monterosa

This content is provided by Monterosa, which may be using cookies and other technologies.

To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies.

You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Monterosa cookies or to allow those cookies just once.

You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options.

Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Monterosa cookies.

To view this content you can use the button below to allow Monterosa cookies for this session only.