Austria – Spain in the round of 16: What the dramatic 3:3 now means

In a highly dramatic game, Austria overcame a shock in stoppage time and was able to recover after Sasa Kalajdzic’s last-minute equalizer Algeria are looking forward to the knockout phase. Many people had expected a draw before the game, but not 3-3. Austria is now in the knockout phase of the World Cup for the first time in 44 years.

In the round of 16, Austria will now face title candidate Spain, while Algeria will probably have an easier opponent in Switzerland. And that despite the fact that the North Africans only finished the preliminary round in third place behind Argentina and Austria.

Rangnick: “We are just happy at the moment”

«I have no words at the moment, I say honestly. I think I’ve never experienced anything like that before,” said Austria’s German coach Ralf Rangnick. «3:2 behind, the game time is actually over. We’re actually getting back into the game. We’re just happy at the moment.”

Midfielder Marcel Sabitzer said on ZDF with tears in his eyes: “I don’t even know what to say. It was up and down. We took the lead twice, you have to bring that home. It was sometimes dubious.” The Borussia Dortmund professional added: “Goals conceded were far too easy, but we’re happy today. We held Austria’s breath – but now they should all keep drinking.”

The ÖFB subsequently published pictures and videos from the dressing room on social media in which the players celebrated exuberantly. The association wrote confidently: “Austria is not finished yet.” Captain David Alaba was also already looking ahead to the next task and said: “This is unbelievable.”

Michael Gregoritsch struck a similar note: Austria is going into the duel against Spain as an outsider, but they certainly have a chance. With regard to the bombshell, he said: “We have seen it: there are miracles!”

Kalajdzic, who scored the all-important goal, said: “The cheering started 15 meters into the field and in the end I was almost out of the stadium because I was pushed and pushed so hard.”

ORF commentator freaks out

So on Sunday in the early hours of the morning, the whole of Austria was shaking with the ÖFB team in the group final against Algeria – and in the end, the whole of Austria, like the players, was simply stunned.

And ORF commentator Daniel Warmuth ensured that even the last sleeping neighbors were roused from their sleep with his primal scream after the redemptive 3:3 in the 96th minute. “Are you stupid!” Warmuth shouted into his microphone, standing in the stands of the stadium in Kansas City with his arms outstretched: “I’ve never experienced anything like that! Out of! I can not anymore!”

This brought back memories of Edi Finger’s legendary radio report of Austria’s 3-2 win against Germany at the 1978 World Cup. The exclamation “I was foolish” became a piece of sports history. 48 years later, Warmuth shouted the name of the goalscorer several times in a cracking voice. “It completely blows me away,” he said a little later.

Nils Hänggi (nih) has been at 20 minutes since 2019. He is a sports editor and part of the Social Responsibility Board. He often writes about football.