Six-goal madness: Mahrez double and a 96th-minute Kalajdžić header settle a 3-3 classic that sends both through

Algeria and Austria drew 3-3 in a chaotic Group J finale that sent both into the Round of 32 and eliminated Iran. Riyad Mahrez struck twice, his 93rd-minute goal briefly winning it, before Saša Kalajdžić headed a 96th-minute equaliser. Austria finish 2nd to face Spain; Algeria 3rd to face Switzerland.

Some draws feel like wins, and some feel like a heist on both ends. Algeria and Austria served up a six-goal classic at Arrowhead Stadium, a 3-3 thriller with a finish so chaotic it will be replayed for years, and a result that sent both nations into the Round of 32 while breaking Iranian hearts a thousand miles away.

Austria struck first through Marko Arnautović on twenty-eight minutes, but Rafik Belghali levelled on the stroke of half-time. Marcel Sabitzer edged Austria back ahead on fifty-five, and the game looked to be settling at 2-2 once Riyad Mahrez curled in his first on the hour. Both sides knew a draw sent them both through, and the contest threatened to fizzle.

Then stoppage time exploded. In the ninety-third minute Algeria's captain Mahrez struck again to make it 3-2, a goal that, in that instant, put Austria on the very brink of elimination. The Algerian bench erupted; the Austrians looked broken.

The drama was not finished. Deep into the sixth added minute, giant substitute Saša Kalajdžić rose to meet a header and powered home an unforgettable last-gasp equaliser. Three-three, and a release of pure relief and joy on the Austrian side. Ralf Rangnick's men had survived.

When the dust settled it was, improbably, a win-win. Austria take second place in Group J and a Round of 32 date with European champions Spain. Algeria, under Vladimir Petković, finish third but advance as one of the best third-placed teams, having earlier beaten Jordan, and will face Switzerland. Argentina, inevitably, won the group with a perfect nine.

The cruel twist landed elsewhere. The 3-3 result officially eliminated Iran, whose own dramatic draw with Egypt had left them clinging to the best-third-placed math. Had either Algeria or Austria won here, Iran would have squeezed through. Instead, Team Melli are out by the finest of margins.

For Kenya, this one stirred everything at once. Local fans split between celebrating a wild World Cup classic and raising eyebrows at how cagily both sides played before the chaos, but the dominant feeling was African solidarity: another brother nation into the knockouts, and relief that Mahrez and Algeria dodged a meeting with Spain to land Switzerland instead. Mahrez bado ni maestro, Algeria wameponea na wamesonga mbele: Mahrez is still the maestro, Algeria survived and are through. Our Africa round-one verdict backed the Desert Foxes to advance, while our Europe verdict had Austria pegged as awkward customers.