Read 3 minutesUpdated: June 28, 2026 12:37 PM IST
“I don’t know, we did our best, but the rest is from God. I hope God will give us some luck,” Ramin Rezaian said in an emotional interview after Iran’s 1-1 draw against Egypt. On Sunday, that thread snapped, but not before, and rather cruelly, opening a very small window through which Iran could glimpse their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup round of 32 for a few seconds.
There was only one way for both Algeria and Austria to progress to the round of 32 and that was for one of the two final group stage matches of this World Cup to end in a draw. Austria went ahead twice and Algeria equalized both times in this match. And then, both sides seemed to come to terms. There were some farcical scenes towards the end of the match where Algeria passed the ball around the center circle and Austria didn’t even try to press. position “The Infamy of Gijon” It was beginning to be grumbled.
Then it was time to stop in the fourth minute. Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez slipped behind Austria’s sleeping backline and sent the ball into the bottom corner with his first touch. The shell-shocked Austrians were suddenly awakened from their sleep and threw the kitchen sink at the Algerians. A shot by Philip Leinhart whistled off target. Before that, Austria had replaced Filip Mwene with Sasa Kalajdic.
Alternatively it did. A cross came in from the left, Michael Gregorich headed it square to Kalajdic who nodded it away. Cue pandemonium.
How Iran’s Race Ended
Iran thought they had secured a last second win against Egypt but VAR ruled it out. (AP Photo/Lindsay Wasson)
The only way for Austria to progress to the next round is to ensure they don’t lose to Algeria. Defeat would have sent them down to third place in Group J, leaving them to compete with the other third-placed teams and the best eight of which would have reached the round of 32. Austria would have scored just three points, thus keeping them out of the top eight.
However, the draw meant that Austria and Algeria finished fourth. Austria finished second and went straight through while Algeria became an academic detail as one of the eight best-placed third-placed teams. Algeria had four points and Iran’s place in the top eight.