FIFA will not investigate allegations that the World Cup group match between Algeria and Austria was fixed to allow both teams to progress to the knockout stages, despite the former Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez admitting the closing stages felt “awkward”.
The controversy erupted after a 3-3 draw in which Austria scored a 96th-minute equaliser, seconds after Mahrez had put Algeria ahead. The goal followed a five‑minute build‑up involving 110 consecutive passes, prompting accusations that the result had been engineered.
“FIFA will not investigate match-fixing claims after Algeria and Austria drew 3-3 to both reach World Cup knockouts.”
Mahrez, who scored for Algeria, acknowledged the tension. “It was a bit awkward, to be honest,” he said. “We were playing wide and they were sitting, but in the last minute someone plays a ball, he turns, and I have to make the run. I know it’s an awkward situation, but it’s football, and I have to respect it. And the good thing for them [Austria], is that they score and they qualify. We both qualify, and that’s the most important thing.”
Austria manager Ralf Rangnick dismissed the notion out of hand. But the drama did not stop there. Marko Arnautović was seen arguing with the Algerian bench and throwing his hands up in anger during the match.
Elsewhere on a night of high drama, Canada secured their place in the last 16 after Stephen Eustáquio scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over South Africa. Brazil also advanced with an injury-time winner from Gabriel Martinelli against Japan, a goal that underlined his reputation as “one of the world’s best substitutes”.
The result leaves Austria with a difficult knockout tie against European champions Spain, while Algeria face Switzerland with a potential quarter‑final against Argentina on the horizon.