liveUpdated 15s agoFollow live as Group J concludes with Algeria and Austria looking to reach the knockout phaseThe Athletic Live TeamJune 27, 2026 at 10:32 PM EDTAlgeria vs Austria Getty ImagesWell, that puts to bed the playing for a draw theory. Which is for the best.No 'disgrace' today!Marko Arnautovic does not do compromises. We should have known.How Arnautovic put Austria ahead29' Algeria 0-1 AustriaA perfectly-timed run from Marko Arnautovic! He connects with a beautiful long ball from David Alaba. It’s not a great touch, but Algeria keeper Oussama Benbot plays too passively and the 37-year-old Austria striker gets his first World Cup goal.GOAL! Austria lead!28' Algeria 0-1 AustriaMarko Arnautovic delivers!27' Algeria 0-0 AustriaAlgeria are struggling to get any good chances in the box... Fares Chaibi tries his luck from deep but is well wide of the far post. Reuters23' Algeria 0-0 AustriaWe’ve reached the hydration break. More boos from the fans, though I’m not sure whether it’s for the lack of action as this match has tightened up, for the hydration break, or for both.Another cautious draw?We have just had some boos and whistles from the crowd in response to a period of sterile possession from Austria, passing the ball around very slowly at the back. It was unclear whether the boos were from Algerian fans, frustrated by their opponents, or from neutrals who are unimpressed by what they’re seeing.Either way, no real chances so far and, as it stands, we're on course for a draw that would send both teams through. Getty Images20' Algeria 0-0 AustriaAlgeria finally breaks some sustained pressure, but then an important clearance from Lienhart snuffs out the Algeria counter.Austria with more possession now, content to hang back and probe.16' Algeria 0-0 AustriaImmediate hard booing as Austria passes backwards to reset after a Laimer cross into the box is cleared.It does not appear Algeria fans are keen on any 1982 reminders.15' Algeria 0-0 AustriaIbrahim Maza is doing a stellar job controlling the ball, and then Algeria forces another quick clearance from Alexander Schlager.This is not a very slow-paced match so far... Reuters13' Algeria 0-0 AustriaMandi is still down, getting attended to by Algerian medics.Arnautovic, inexplicably, is still pleading his case to the referee.Finally Mandi gets up. Getty Images10' Algeria 0-0 AustriaLovely touch for Maza after a throw-in but the young Algerian midfielder was always a bit too bold with that chance and he skies it over the bar.Marko Arnautovic then gets a clear yellow for a hard challenge, hitting Aissa Mandi in the throat! Getty Images8' Algeria 0-0 AustriaFirst shot attempt of the night for either side sees Xaver Schlager go well over the bar.Sabitzer then tries to cross one into the box after Austria get the ball right back, but it’s cleared for a corner. Getty Images7' Algeria 0-0 AustriaNice pressure from Gouiri on Lienhart to force a clumsy clearance out of bounds.But Austria come right back with a nice through ball to Sabitzer, though he cannot make the run.5' Algeria 0-0 AustriaNow a first chance for Austria on a long throw that does get into the six-yard box but bounces out harmlessly for a goal kick.Definitely livelier than some may have expected so far...3' Algeria 0-0 AustriaA lively attack from Algeria at first, at the very least, but they cannot get a shot off before it’s cleared for an Austria throw.KICK-OFF: Algeria-Austria underway! Reuters1' Algeria 0-0 AustriaWe are underway from Kansas City!Which side is going home tonight — or will both be through to the round of 32?With this game in Kansas City, Missouri, if it plays out as Oli mentioned a few minutes ago, some students of American history are already dubbing it the Second Missouri Compromise...Iran waits with baited breath Getty Images All eyes are now on this Algeria-Austria game in Iran — and in Tijuana, Mexico, at the Iranian national team's World Cup base camp.Iran needs anything but a draw to qualify as the eighth of eight third-place teams. If tonight's match ends in a draw, on the other hand, Iran is out.The Iranian team was initially scheduled to train this evening in Tinjuana, but rescheduled the training session as it awaited the result of the DR Congo-Uzbekistan game. And then, when that result didn't go in Iran's favor — DR Congo came back to win — the training session was canceled, per a team spokesman.So much suspense!