2026 World Cup: Austria avoids elimination in Kansas City and reaches the knockout stage for the first time since 1982

Match played with all-out attack

The team coached by Ralf Rangnick threw everything forward in the closing stages. The substitutions of Grillitsch, Wanner, and Gregoritsch for Arnautovic brought more ball control. In the sixth minute of stoppage time, the Austrians finally struck: Sasa Kalajdzic, himself a substitute, scored to the celebrated 3-3 final scoreline.

With the draw, both teams secured their place in the round of 16; a victory would not have been strictly necessary for the table configuration. Austria now travels to Los Angeles, where the round-of-16 opponent awaits. "Es geht nach LA," was the message from the Austrian camp after the final whistle.

Argentina as group winner

In parallel, group winner Argentina had prevailed in Dallas with a 3-1 victory over Jordan. Lionel Messi, who had initially been rested, scored his 19th World Cup goal with a direct free kick and is now the sole record holder. "WM-Treffer Nummer 19 für den Rekordhalter," the ticker summarized the historic moment. For Austria, the result between the Republic of Congo and Uzbekistan in parallel ultimately determined the configuration in the final group standings.

In Austria's starting lineup were Alaba in defense, Laimer on the right wing, Schmid in central midfield, and Arnautovic, who initially replaced the injured Kalajdzic. Goalkeeper Schlager had made an important save against Maza in the opening phase and kept his team in the match. A yellow card for Arnautovic following a foul added further tension.

Outlook on the round of 16 in Los Angeles

"In Kansas City sind die Österreicher nach dem 2:3 von Riyad Mahrez (93.) praktisch schon draussen," the live ticker described the precarious situation before the equalizer. Then Kalajdzic turned things around in the 96th minute after all. "In der WM-Gruppe J teilen sich Algerien und Österreich mit einem unglaublichen 3:3 die Punkte," was the message after the final whistle. "Nun stehen beide Teams in der K.o.-Phase."