The best match of the group stage concluded with a dizzying 3-3 draw. To think that many fans left the Kansas City stadium 25 minutes into the game thinking that Algeria and Austria They were going to touch the ball in an inconsequential manner until the referee called the end. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Iran, watching on television, was excited by the goals of Riyad Mahrez, the eternal Algerian captain, which put the African team in front. With the score 3-2, there was nothing left on the clock. And the Iranians were close to qualifying for the round of 32 as the best third place.
But Ralf Ragnick, the Austrian coach, had other plans. He brought in Sasa Kalajdzic to search the heights and the two-meter giant from Lask Linz did not disappoint him. In the fifth minute of stoppage time (and with his head, of course) he gave his team the tie. A goal that is worth second place in the group, behind Argentina. And it guarantees a matchup with Spain in the next round. Algeria follows, but as third. And they will face Switzerland. Everyone happy. All except Iran.
