The 'Disgrace of Gijon' has followed Austria and Algeria for 44 years. On Sunday morning, it appeared to strike again.
Algeria and Austria played out a 3-3 draw in their final Group J encounter at the 2026 World Cup — a result that sent both sides through to the knockout stage and eliminated Iran. The chaotic finish included two injury-time goals, prompting accusations of a scripted outcome reminiscent of the infamous 1982 match when West Germany beat Austria 1-0 to eliminate Algeria.
“Algeria and Austria's 3-3 draw sends both through, sparking conspiracy claims of a scripted result echoing the 1982 'Disgrace of Gijon'.”
Austria opened the scoring through Marko Arnautovic in the 28th minute, but Rafik Belghali lashed home an equaliser in the 45th. Marcel Sabitzer restored Austria's lead in the 55th minute before Riyad Mahrez levelled again five minutes later. The Algeria skipper then slotted home what looked to be a 93rd-minute winner — a goal that would have sent Austria out and Iran through following their 1-1 draw with Egypt. But with seconds remaining, Sasa Kalajdzic headed in a dramatic 96th-minute equaliser to make it 3-3 and send both sides into the knockout stage.
Many Iranian fans felt cheated by the outcome, calling on Fifa to investigate and highlighting several moments from the game on social media. Austria's players were accused of "strolling around", while one fan called it "the most scripted match I've ever seen" and another described it as "a scandal".
Clips have since circulated showing both sides at 2-2 appearing to go through the motions rather than pushing for a winner. Following Mahrez's second goal, footage has also circulated of a confrontation between the two benches, with some claiming it showed frustration that the draw had been disrupted. A video also shows Algeria's Aissa Mandi cover his mouth and speak to Mahrez, who looked confused, with a fan tweeting that the forward was told his team would be playing against Spain in the last 32 if they won rather than Switzerland. Austria then forced a dramatic equaliser.
Austria boss Ralf Rangnick said it was "mad" to suggest there was any agreement in place to engineer a scripted draw. Both sides have strongly denied a repeat of the 'Disgrace of Gijon', even as conspiracy theorists argue the nature of the chaotic finish felt too good to be true — or too good to be scripted.