win result in their World Cup group stage finale, allowing both to advance to the knockout round while eliminating Iran from the tournament.
Sports News
The game was tied 2-2 in the closing minutes, and Algeria looked as if they were content to run out the clock, when captain Riyad Mahrez scored his second goal with about a minute left in stoppage time. That put Austria on the verge of elimination, only for Sasa Kalajdzic to head in the equalizing goal moments later and rescue Das Team’s World Cup hopes.
Marko Arnautovic and Marcel Sabitzer also had goals for Austria, which finished second behind Argentina in Group J to advance for the first time since 1982. Their reward is a matchup with European champions Spain on Thursday in the Los Angeles area.
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Rafik Belghali also scored for Algeria, who became the ninth of 10 teams from Africa to advance. They finished third in the group but get a potentially easier round-of-32 showdown with Switzerland on Thursday night in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Analysis
Iran would have advanced as one of the eight best third-place teams had Austria or Algeria won. But when Kalajdzic scored in stoppage time to tie the game one last time, it meant Team Melli was eliminated in heartbreaking fashion.
It was one last painful moment for Iran in a World Cup that has been tumultuous on and off the pitch.
The Iranians have been playing while Tehran negotiates with Washington on terms of a deal meant to permanently end the war that began earlier this year.
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