World football’s top governing body has closed the door on allegations of a prearranged result in Algeria’s thrilling 3-3 draw with Austria at the World Cup. The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) announced it would take no further action despite claims that both teams colluded to secure their progression to the knockout stages.
Rumors swirled that Algeria and Austria had agreed to share points in their final group match to guarantee advancement. The late drama unfolded when Austria equalized in stoppage time, three minutes after Riyad Mahrez had put Algeria ahead. A breathtaking five-minute sequence featuring 110 consecutive passes nearly saw Algeria eliminate their opponents.
Tensions reached boiling point as Austria’s Marco Arnautović confronted the Algerian bench in frustration. Ultimately, Austria finished second in the group while Algeria, in third place, advanced as one of the best third-placed teams.
Speculation about a sweetheart deal intensified after the final whistle, with some pundits suggesting Algeria intentionally allowed Austria’s late equalizer. However, FIFA dismissed all match-fixing allegations outright, expressing confidence that no irregularities had occurred.
Austria’s head coach Ralf Rangnick vehemently denied any wrongdoing, though Mahrez’s post-match comments did little to dispel doubts. The Manchester City legend admitted the outcome felt “a bit strange” but stressed his commitment to the integrity of the game.
“To be honest, it was a bit strange,” Mahrez reflected. “We were playing on the wings and they were sitting back, but in the last minute, one of them made a pass, turned around, and I had to react. I have to respect football. The ball came to the goalkeeper and I should have scored—I have to try. I know the situation was strange, but this is football and I have to respect it. For Austria, the main thing is they scored and qualified. We both made it through, and that’s what matters.”
Austria now faces a daunting Round of 16 clash with defending European champions Spain, with potential paths to meet either Portugal or Croatia in subsequent rounds. Meanwhile, Algeria will take on Switzerland before a possible quarter-final showdown with Argentina if both sides maintain their momentum.