Austria reaches World Cup Round of 16: 3-2 against Algeria after Hitchcock drama

Kalajdzic as tragic hero

Marcel Sabitzer had earlier put Austria 2-1 up. After the final whistle, however, the midfielder was self-critical: "Wir gehen zweimal in Führung, dann müssen wir das nach Hause bringen. Das kannst du bei so einem Spiel nicht bringen, das war teilweise unseriös". His verdict was mixed: "Wir sind mit einem blauen Auge davongekommen". Marko Arnautovic summed up the rollercoaster ride: "Das war crazy".

Late in the game, the match turned into a genuine Hitchcock drama, as team boss Ralf Rangnick put it. "Alfred Hitchcock hatte mit Fußball nichts am Hut. Aber wenn er einmal so ein Drama verfasst hätte, hätte man ihn wahrscheinlich auch für völlig verrückt erklärt," said the 67-year-old, who turns 68 two days after the match. Rangnick also referred to the climatic conditions in Kansas City: "Es war für uns nicht einfach, was das Klima angeht. Wir haben das vielleicht ein bisschen unterschätzt." After the match, the team moved into their team camp in Santa Barbara before heading on to the Los Angeles Stadium.

Hitchcock drama in stoppage time

For Algeria, Riyad Mahrez was the most prominent figure. The former Manchester City player put his team 3-2 up in the 90th+3 minute, before Kalajdzic scored the celebrated equalizer at the other end. Mahrez said about his goal: "Man muss den Ball und das Spiel respektieren". His Algerian coach Vladimir Petkovic subsequently spoke of a special moment, as his home country had accompanied the Austrians into the next round. ORF expert Andreas Herzog called the end of the match "Ein Hollywood-Ende".

During the game, Austria's fate had already seemed almost sealed. David Alaba later admitted: "Ich habe mich schon die Koffer packen sehen". In the end, however, the result was the historic first Round of 16 qualification for an Austrian team at a World Cup since the legendary quarterfinal appearance in 1954. After the match, Rangnick quoted the Austropop classic "Zwickt's mi" by Wolfgang Ambros: "Zwickt's mi, i man i tram".

Outlook: Duel with Spain

Parallels to the "Disgrace of Gijón" from 1978, when the German team lost 1-0 to Austria and both teams subsequently celebrated their qualification, were obvious. But unlike back then, this match was deserved on sporting merit, even though Rangnick conceded that his team had let the lead slip twice.

The upcoming duel with Spain now promises to be the biggest challenge of Rangnick's tenure as Austrian team boss so far. The European champions go into the match as clear favorites, but Austria has gained confidence for the knockout phase with the dramatic victory over Algeria.