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.
Best photos of the 2026 World Cup - in pictures
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England's Harry Kane (right) celebrates scoring their side's second goal of the game with Jude Bellingham during the FIFA World Cup Group L match at New York New Jersey Stadium, East Rutherford. PA -
Argentina's forward #10 Lionel Messi celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the 2026 World Cup Group J football match between Jordan and Argentina at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington. AFP -
Colombia's defender #04 Santiago Arias, Portugal's forward #07 Cristiano Ronaldo, and Colombia's midfielder #11 Jhon Arias fight for the ball during the 2026 World Cup Group K football match between Colombia and Portugal at the Miami Stadium in Miami Gardens. AFP -
Egypt v Iran - Seattle Stadium, Seattle, Washington, U.S. Egypt's Mohamed Salah in action with Iran's Mehdi Taremi. Reuters -
Senegal's midfielder #26 Pape Gueye and Iraq's midfielder #08 Ibrahim Bayesh fight for the ball during the 2026 World Cup Group I football match between Senegal and Iraq at the Toronto Stadium in Toronto. AFP -
Spain's defender #22 Pau Cubarsi and Uruguay's forward #14 Agustin Canobbio fight for the ball during the 2026 World Cup Group H football match between Uruguay and Spain at the Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan. AFP -
Turkey midfielder Arda Guler scores a goal on United States of America goalkeeper Matt Turner during the FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage match Turkey against USA, in Los Angeles, USA. EPA -
Australia forward Nestory Irankunda and Paraguay defender Omar Alderete in action during the FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage match Paraguay vs Australia, at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in Santa Clara, USA. EPA -
Netherlands' defender #06 Jan Paul Van Hecke and defender #05 Nathan Ake fight foe the ball with Tunisia's midfielder #25 Anis Slimane during the 2026 World Cup Group F football match between Tunisia and the Netherlands at the Kansas City Stadium in Kansas City. AFP -
Ecuador's forward #20 Nilson Angulo celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the 2026 World Cup Group E football match between Ecuador and Germany at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford. AFP -
Mexico's Guillermo Ochoa kisses the post as he celebrates after the match against Czech Republic in Mexico City. Reuters -
Mexico's Israel Reyes shoots at goal with an overhead kick. Reuters -
Scotland fans play bagpipes as Scotland's Tartan Army travel to Miami Stadium for the match between Scotland and Brazil. Reuters -
Morocco's Ismael Saibari scores their second goal against Haiti in Atlanta. Reuters -
Canada's Ismael Kone is seen in a wheelchair before the match against Switzerland. Reuters -
Brazil's Vinicius Junior scores their second goal against Scotland, in Miami. Reuters -
South Africa's forward Thapelo Maseko is hugged by teammates while celebrating scoring his team's first goal during the match between South Africa and South Korea in Guadalupe. AFP -
Mexico's defender Mateo Chavez scores his team's first goal past Czech Republic's goalkeeper Matej Kovar. AFP -
Breel Embolo of Switzerland is challenged by Derek Cornelius of Canada. AFP -
Croatia's Luka Modric is thrown into the air by teammates as they celebrate his 200th appearance for Croatia after the match against Panama. Reuters -
Cristiano Ronaldo controls the ball during match between Portugal and Uzbekistan in Houston. AFP -
Harry Kane shoots at goal during match between England and Ghana in Boston Stadium. AFP -
DR Congo's Cedric Bakambu in action with Colombia's Davinson Sanchez, in Guadalajara. Reuters -
Norway players perform the traditional rowing celebration after their 3-2 win over Senegal. Reuters -
Mohamed Salah of Egypt scores his team's second goal against New Zealand in Vancouver. AFP
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.
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