Austria and Algeria have strongly denied colluding in their final Group J match at the 2026 World Cup, after a chaotic 3-3 draw eliminated Iran and sent both sides into the knockout stage. The result drew immediate comparisons with one of football’s most infamous matches — the 1982 ‘Disgrace of Gijon’, in which West Germany beat Austria 1-0 in a result that suited both sides and sent Algeria out of that tournament.
Austria led through Marko Arnautovic’s 28th-minute opener, before Rafik Belghali levelled on the stroke of half-time. Marcel Sabitzer restored Austria’s advantage in the 55th minute, only for Algeria captain Mahrez to slot home what appeared to be a 93rd-minute winner — a goal that, at that moment, would have sent Austria out and Iran through on the back of their 1-1 draw with Egypt. But Sasa Kalajdzic headed in a 96th-minute equaliser to make it 3-3, securing progression for both sides.
Iranian fans reacted with fury, calling on FIFA to investigate and circulating clips on social media they claimed supported their case. Footage showing both teams appearing to go through the motions at 2-2 spread widely, with supporters arguing the match felt staged. Austria’s players were accused of ‘strolling around’ until Algeria equalised, with one fan calling it ‘the most scripted match I’ve ever seen’, while others labelled it ‘a disgrace’ and ‘a scandal’.
Conspiracy theorists pointed to the nature of the finish as evidence, though both nations have flatly rejected any suggestion of wrongdoing. Further footage also circulated showing a confrontation between the two benches after Mahrez’s second goal, which some claimed reflected frustration that the draw had been disrupted at that point.
The match had begun quietly, with Arnautovic’s opener just before the half-hour mark the first shot on target of the game. Whether football’s governing body acts on the Iranian complaints remains to be seen, but the echoes of Gijon mean the controversy surrounding this result is unlikely to fade quickly.
Image credit: BBC Sport / BBC Sport
