A six-goal shootout in Kansas City just sent two teams through to the World Cup knockout rounds. It also put a quiet spotlight on the crypto infrastructure FIFA has been building around the tournament.
Algeria and Austria played to a 3-3 draw on June 27 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, a result that suited both sides just fine. Algeria finished third in Group J, Austria took second behind Argentina, and Iran went home.
The match that had everything
Rafik Belghali opened the scoring for Algeria, and Riyad Mahrez added two more to cement his status as the team’s talisman. Austria answered through a trio of different scorers. Marko Arnautovic, Marcel Sabitzer, and Saša Kalajdžić each found the net, ensuring the Austrians were never out of the contest.
FIFA’s crypto play is bigger than fan tokens
