Group J was the final group to play their final matches of the 2026 World Cup group stage. Ahead of the simultaneous kickoffs, we knew that Argentina had already won this group and that Jordan was already eliminated from the knockout rounds. However, Algeria and Austria had everything to play for. A draw would see both nations advance to the knockout rounds, but an Algerian loss would cut their World Cup run short at the group stage. With the remaining two spots to make up the Knockout rounds on the line, these games produced fireworks.
Back in 1982, Algeria had done almost enough to make it to the knockout rounds of a World Cup; however, if West Germany beat Austria 1-0 in the final game. Algeria would be out. That’s what happened in a match dubbed the “disgrace of Gijón,” which forced FIFA to have four groups and to hold simultaneous matches on the groups' final day. Fast forward 44 years, and Algeria and Austria meet on a World Cup final day in the group stage, both nations knowing that a draw would see them through to the knockout phase.
In a game that needed a 0-0 for both teams to move on, surprisingly, or maybe unsurprisingly given the history and heated nature between these nations on the pitch, it was not a goalless game. The ebbs and flows of this match were evident early on, but it would be the Europeans who would break the deadlock just before the half-hour mark. Austria legends Alaba and Arnautovic linked up on a long ball to give them the 1-0 lead. Algeria wouldn’t back down, and on the stroke of halftime, they tied the game. The ball was played long and bounced off the corner flag, staying in, eventually finding the foot of Rafik Belghali. He danced his way around Austrian defenders into the box and unleashed a rocket to make the game 1-1.
The second half produced more of the same; neither team played for a draw. It was Austria again that would go ahead, this time in the 55th minute. One of their breakneck forward maneuvers saw precise passing lead to a one-time finish by Sabitzer. Not five minutes later, it was Algeria’s turn to get their second goal. Speed down the left allowed for Algeria’s Aouar to pick his pass. He rolled the ball through Austria’s box to find a streaking Riyad Mahrez, who smashed home the effort. The remaining 30 minutes looked as if both teams felt secure in a 2-2 draw to advance. Then history was made. In the 90+3 minute, Algeria built up their attack again, and Aouar slipped Mahrez in on goal; he scored, making it 3-2! But not so fast, said Austria, who had one minute in added time left to answer, and they did just that! Sasa Kalajdzic came on right after Algeria scored, and one minute later, his header would tie the game 3-3 on the last play of the match.
The frantic draw sees both Austria and Algeria make the Round of 32. Austria finished second and now has to take on Spain, and Algeria finished third and will play Switzerland. It almost seems better to finish third, but at least there is no “disgrace in Kansas City.”
Jordan’s first World Cup would not result in a trip to the knockout rounds. Instead, it would be a chance to play against the reigning tournament champions, Argentina. The Argentines did rotate some key players, including their talisman Messi, in the first half. However, this team is still so, so good even when their best XI isn’t on the pitch, and of course, the GOAT always wants to play at some point, and he doesn’t need much time to make an impact.
The first half went just about as everyone would expect. Argentina were on the front foot, playing the beautiful game, connecting passes and frustrating Jordan. Just after the 10-minute mark, Giovani Lo Celso hit a perfect free-kick goal that made Messi proud from the bench. He expertly smashed the shot with power and precision, upper-90, to give Argentina the lead. Just before the half-hour mark, Argentina were awarded a penalty after a VAR check proved Jordan defender Haddad kicked Argentina’s Alvarez in the head when he went for a diving header. Lautaro Martínez converted the PK, and Argentina took their lead into halftime.
As the teams came out in the second half, Argentina was coasting, but Jordan was hungry to show they could hit the World Champs where it hurt. Ehsan Haddad made up for giving away a PK and played a perfect ball to Mousa Tamari, who was able to redirect the cross past 2022’s golden glove winner Emi Martinez to cut the lead to 2-1. Just before the goal, it was clear Messi was going to make a cameo, and he did for the last 30 minutes of the game. The GOAT did what the GOAT always does. In the 80th minute, Argentina won a free kick, and Messi slotted it perfectly past the wall and the frozen Jordan goalkeeper to make it 3-1. 10 minutes plus stoppage time later, the match ended 3-1.
Jordan fought to the end, but Argentina was just too much for them. The fate known before the game was confirmed afterward, and Argentina can now prepare for their Round of 32 match against the Cinderella story, Cape Verde!
Argentina took nine points from the nine available to take the top spot in Group J. Austria took second place after a thrilling final-day draw with Algeria; the draw meant Algeria edged out Iran for the final third-place slot available for the knockout rounds. Jordan is going home after this group stage, but will hold their heads high, having scored in all three of their games against opponents ranked higher than them!
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Group J |
Argentina |
Austria |
Algeria |
Jordan |
Tomorrow is the first game of the Knockout Rounds! South Africa takes on co-hosts Canada in Los Angeles to get the win-or-go-home matches started! That will begin a six-day run of the Round of 32, followed by a four-day run of the Round of 16. Whom will we see make a run to the quarterfinals this time? The real matches start now!
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South Africa |
Sunday, |
SoFi Stadium, Inglewood |
Fox, Fox One, Telemundo, Peacock |
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