'Completely mad' - Austria boss Ralf Rangnick rejects 'agreement' accusations after dramatic FIFA World Cup 2026 draw with Algeria

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Austria head coach Ralf Rangnick said it was clear that there was no collusion between Austria and Algeria in their dramatic 3-3 group-stage draw, which saw both teams progress to the last 32 of the World Cup.

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Before the match, there were suggestions that both teams might play out a mutually-beneficial draw, akin to the famous 'Disgrace of Gijon' between West Germany and Austria in the 1982 finals in Spain.

Both Austria and Algeria were on three points before their final group match, and both knew that a point would be enough to guarantee progression.

It was certainly not the bore draw many predicted in Kansas City, though, as former Premier League players Marko Arnautovic, Marcel Sabitzer and Riyad Mahrez all got on the scoresheet.

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The match appeared to be petering out with the score at 2-2 heading into second-half added time, but Mahrez was played through and finished coolly for his second of the night - and what appeared to be the winner.

Austria hit back instantly, though, with Sasa Kalajdzic heading home a last-gasp equaliser to spark joyous celebrations.

Algeria were likely not overly disappointed, because failing to win meant they will play Switzerland in the last 32, while the reward for Austria is a considerably more difficult match against European champions Spain.

Some suggested a draw was preordained, but Rangnick rubbished that notion.

"In this match, when you have a 3-3, nobody can assume that it ⁠was an agreement, and especially what we saw during the last 90 seconds," the former Manchester United manager said.

"Three minutes to play, if somebody had said this would happen, you would have told them they were mad.

"I've been a coach for about 40 years and I don't even remember a match that had such a dramatic course, and such an unexpected trajectory.

"Most anticipated 0-0 or 1-1, and now it's 3-3. It's incredible. The locker-room is madness. If Alfred Hitchcock had written such a drama, I probably would have said he was completely mad."

He added: "All who watched the game during the last 15 minutes must know there is no hint that the players absolutely wanted to have a draw. I think they wanted to win.

"Nobody can tell me that suddenly in minute 93 somebody would plan, 'oh yes, let's score another goal'. I think ⁠maybe it was the thought of one or two players in Algeria, but I think in the rest of the squad... I don't think it was the case, and not for me."

There was no hint of disappointment from Rangnick that his side face Spain in the next round.

"We're very happy that we are in the most difficult of all groups, and we advance in ⁠second in this group, and that was definitely not easy," he said.

"I am relieved and incredulous and happy. I still can't believe it. I need to be pinched to wake up from a dream."

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