2026 World Cup Group J: Wild Austria

The 2026 World Cup match between Algeria and Austria had a single loser: Iran.

The stakes were clear entering the final two matches of the group stage. The Argentina-Jordan match was of no consequence, as Argentina had already won the group while Jordan's run was over. The bigger match was Algeria-Austria, which would decide the final two spots in the Round of 32.

It was between those two teams and Iran, which was bitterly watching the proceedings after losing a would-be game-winning goal on a VAR offside call the previous night. In order to reach the knockout rounds via the third-place standings, they needed just one of three matches on Saturday to go their way. The first two didn't, as they watched Ghana and DR Congo book their tickets earlier, leaving Algeria-Austria as the final decider.

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By nightfall, the dynamics worked out like this.

Austria wins: Austria and Iran advance, Algeria eliminated

Algeria wins: Algeria and Iran advance, Austria eliminated

Tie: Austria and Algeria advance, Iran eliminated

You can probably see where the incentives get a little wonky. To both teams' credit, they actually did appear to try, at least up to a certain point in the second half. The crowds began jeering as the teams settled in for the 2-2 tie in the final minutes. Then came stoppage time, and chaos.

First, Algerian captain Riyad Mahrez caught the Austria defense sleeping and completed a brace. Cue celebrations for Iran.

Then, less than three minutes later, Sasa Kalajdzic delivered a miracle header to put his country back in the knockout rounds. Cue heartbreak for Iran.

The result was one of the wilder ties you will see in any sport. And now we can officially say this is the margin by which Iran was eliminated from a tournament in which had to deal with some very public obstacles.

With both teams going 1-1-1 in group, Austria took second place in Group J on goal differential and will face Spain next week. Algeria will take a good enough third place and venture forward against Switzerland.

Argentina, meanwhile, had no problems against Jordan in a 3-1 win. They even got another goal from Golden Boot leader Lionel Messi, who entered the match in the second half and became the first player ever to score in seven consecutive World Cup matches.

World Cup Group J table, results

Tuesday, June 16: Argentina 3, Algeria 0Tuesday, June 16: Austria 3, Jordan 1Monday, June 22: Argentina 2, Austria 0Monday, June 22: Jordan 1, Algeria 2Saturday, June 27: Argentina 3, Jordan 1Saturday, June 27: Algeria 3, Austria 3

Who will Argentina, Austria and Algeria play in the knockout rounds?

Argentina vs. Cape VerdeTime: 6 p.m. ET Date: Friday, July 3Location: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami

Austria vs. SpainTime: 3 p.m. ETDate: Thursday, July 2Location: Sofi Stadium, Los Angeles

Algeria vs. SwitzerlandTime: 11 p.m. ETDate: Thursday, July 2Location: BC Place, Vancouver

Can this group produce a World Cup winner?

OK, we'll be a little less glib. Argentina entered this tournament in the top tier of contenders and they didn't give us a single reason to doubt that status in group play. Messi erased any concerns about his age by scoring five goals in the first two matches then added another Saturday, while taking half the match off.

Beyond Cape Verde in the Round of 32, no contender has a more favorable path to the semifinals than Argentina, whose hardest matchups would be something like Egypt in the Round of 16 and Colombia in the quarterfinals. Only France (+300) has better title odds in the field than Argentina's +400.

Austria and Algeria, meanwhile, are playing with house money now and any further progress would be a surprise. Feel free to ask this question again if the former beats Spain in the Round of 32 or the latter gets past Colombia in the Round of 16.