In a dramatic conclusion to the group stage of the World Cup 2026, Iran was eliminated from the tournament following a wild 3-3 draw between Algeria and Austria. The match, filled with last-minute excitement, saw Austria equalize in stoppage time thanks to Saša Kalajdžić, allowing both teams to advance to the knockout round while sending Iran home. Fans were treated to a spectacle characterized by five minutes of chaos, as both teams managed to navigate through a controversial format that had them engaging in a game many speculated they would prefer not to win. With this tie, Algeria and Austria secured their spots in the last 32, leaving Iran heartbroken after a tumultuous journey in the tournament.