Algeria and Austria faced each other in a 2026 World Cup match that raised suspicions of collusion. Both national teams categorically denied that the 3-3 draw was the result of an agreement.
The "Gijón Disgrace" - an infamous match from the 1982 World Cup in Spain - has haunted Austria and Algeria for 44 years. West Germany beat Austria 1-0 in a final group match that sent both teams to the round of 16 and eliminated Algeria. Fast forward to the 2026 World Cup and Algeria and Austria met again in their final match of Group J, knowing that a draw would see them both through at Iran's expense. A thrilling 3-3 draw on Sunday morning was the result, leaving Austria second in the group and Algeria as one of the best third-placed teams. But both national teams steadfastly denied it was a repeat of the "Gijón disaster" - although conspiracy theorists say the chaotic nature of the finale, which included two goals in deep injury time, appeared scripted. What happened in the match? Austria opened the scoring with Marko Arnautovic in the 28th minute. Rafik Belghali equalized in the 45th with a great shot. Marcel Sabitzer gave Austria the lead again in the 55th minute. Five minutes later Riyad Mahrez equalized again. The Algeria captain then scored what appeared to be the winning goal in the 93rd minute - a goal that would have sent Austria out and qualified Iran, who had drawn 1-1 with Egypt. But with seconds left, Sasa Kalajdzic scored a dramatic equalizer in the 96th to make the final score 3-3. Why are there suspicions of conspiracy? Many Iranian fans felt cheated by the result, calling on FIFA to open an investigation and highlighting several moments of the match on social media to support their claims. The Austrian players were accused of "wandering" on the pitch until Algeria equalised. Some called the match "a disgrace" and "the most scripted match I've ever seen", while another fan called it "a scandal". The match had started sleepily, with Arnautovic's goal on the half-hour being the first shot on target. Videos then circulated showing both teams at 2-2 and appearing to have little desire to seek a winning goal. After Mahrez's second goal, a video was shown of a heated argument between the two benches, with some claiming it showed frustration that the tie had been abandoned. A video also shows Algeria's Aissa Mandi covering her mouth and talking to Mahrez, who looked confused, and one fan tweeted that it was advice that his team would play Spain in the round of 16 if they won, rather than Switzerland. Austria then forced a dramatic equalizer. "If Alfred Hitchcock had written such a drama, I would say he would be completely mad" Austrian coach Ralf Rangnick described it as "crazy" to suggest there was an agreement to make the draw the result of strategy. He insisted that Kansas City's unpredictable finish to the game in the final 15 minutes clearly demonstrated that neither team wanted to repeat the "Gijón misfortune." “In this game, when you have a 3-3, nobody can assume that it was a deal, especially after what we saw during the last 90 seconds,” Rangnick said. "If, with three minutes to play, someone had said this would happen, you would have told them they were crazy. I've been a manager for about 40 years and I can't remember a single match that had such a dramatic course and such an unexpected trajectory. Most people expected a 0-0 or a 1-1, and instead it ended 3-3. It's incredible - the dressing room is in turmoil. If Alfred Hitchcock had written such a drama, I'd probably say he'd be completely mad." Algeria coach Vladimir Petkovic also dismissed rumors of a possible deal. "I'm extremely happy that, in the end, it was football that won, that prevailed - the 3-3 result says it all," he added. Austria will face Spain in the round of 16 in Los Angeles on Thursday 2 July (20:00 BST), while Algeria will face Switzerland in Vancouver on Friday 3 July (04:00 BST).
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