Algeria are still alive at the World Cup after surviving a breathless 3-3 draw with Austria in a Group J finale that swung wildly until the final touch.
The Desert Foxes looked close to a statement win when Riyad Mahrez scored in stoppage time to make it 3-2. But Sasa Kalajdzic equalised in the 96th minute, rescuing a point for Austria and still leaving Algeria through as one of the best third-placed teams.
It was chaos with consequence.
Both teams knew a draw could be enough, but the match refused to settle into caution. Austria struck first when David Alaba released Marko Arnautovic for the opener.
Algeria answered before half-time through Rafik Belghali, who cut inside and smashed a brilliant finish into the roof of the net.
Austria went ahead again after the break. Konrad Laimer broke down the right and found Marcel Sabitzer, who thumped in the finish from the edge of the box.
Again, Algeria refused to fade.
Houssem Aouar created the opening, and Mahrez arrived at the back post to level the game. It was the first sign that Algeria still had enough attacking edge to survive the pressure.
Then came the madness.
Mahrez struck again at 90+3, driving Algeria ahead and briefly putting Austria on the edge of elimination. For a few moments, the Desert Foxes had turned a dangerous night into a famous win.
But Kalajdzic had the final word.
His 90+6 equaliser made it 3-3 and sent Austrian fans into relief. It also completed one of the group stage’s most dramatic finishes, with Austria going through in second and Algeria advancing as one of the best third-placed teams.
For Algeria, the draw was enough. That matters.
Vladimir Petkovic’s side had opened the tournament with a painful defeat to Argentina. Since then, they have found resilience, rhythm and attacking belief. Against Austria, they showed all three under pressure.
Mahrez was central to that survival.
The veteran forward gave Algeria calm and cutting edge when the match became frantic. His double did not deliver victory, but it delivered something just as important: a route into the knockouts.
Now the challenge changes.
Algeria will face Switzerland in Vancouver in the Round of 32, where efficiency, discipline and composure will matter more than emotion.
Switzerland will not offer Algeria an easy route. They are organised, experienced and difficult to break down.
But Algeria will arrive with proof that they can absorb pressure, respond to setbacks and still find goals when the game is slipping away.
The Desert Foxes did not win the thriller.
They survived it.
And at this stage of the World Cup, survival is enough to keep the dream moving.
