Riyad Mahrez came to Algeria's rescue against Austria, scoring the goals that sent the North Africans through to the knockout phase of the 2026 World Cup.
Mahrez scored his 38th and 39th goals for Algeria – spread over four World Cups – as a thrilling game finished 3-3 in Kansas City.
Algeria finished third in Group J behind Argentina and Austria, but as one of the eight best-placed third-placed teams on four points.
Algeria had trailed to a Marko Arnautovic goal, who timed his run perfectly to latch on to a David Alaba pass to steer past Oussama Benbot, who replaced Luca Zidane in the Algeria goal after the latter disappointed in the Fennecs' first two matches.
Defeat would have sent Algeria packing from the World Cup, but they responded well and went into the break on level terms through Rafik Belghali's effort.
Mahrez was bundled over down by the Austrian corner flag but Belghali picked up the baton and made his way into the area. His first effort was blocked but he made no mistake with his second, rifling his shot over Alexander Schlager.
Marcel Sabitzer restored Austria's lead 10 minutes after the restart with an excellent first-time effort from the edge of the area before Mahrez scored Algeria's all-important equaliser on the hour.
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Houssem Aouar impressed in Algeria's midfield and it was his ball across the six-yard box that was met perfectly by Mahrez to steer home.
The Al Ahli Saudi winger then scored what he thought was the winner in the third minute of injury time.
Aouar was again the creator, playing a neat through ball for Mahrez to coolly slot home with his right foot from the edge of the six-yard area.
But in a topsy-turvy game, Austria managed to pull off a 96th-minute equaliser when Sasa Kalajdzi headed in after Michael Gregoritsch kept the ball alive.
The result meant Austria finished ahead of Algeria as runner-up in the group and will face 2010 champions Spain in the Round of 32 and Algeria will play Switzerland.
Austria's late goal also ended the World Cup run of Iran, who finished third in Group G but not as one of the best eight teams.
Austria coach Ralf Rangnick scoffed at suggestions his side had played for a mutually beneficial draw.
But Rangnick said the game's extraordinary finale should silence any conspiracy theories.
"In this match, when you have a 3-3, nobody can assume that it was an agreement, and especially what we saw during the last 90 seconds," the 67-year-old said.
"Three minutes to play, if somebody had said this would happen, you would have told them they were mad.
"I've been a coach for about 40 years and I don't even remember a match that had such a dramatic course and such an unexpected trajectory."
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