Algeria face Austria with knockouts on the line, Gijón shadows loom

Austria decide your fate, Sunday 4:00 AM

Algeria go into the final Group J matchday with everything on the line. Beat Austria, and you reach the round of 16. Anything less, and the tournament is over (1) (2) (5). Austria play knowing exactly what result they need, their match kicks off after the other group fixture between Argentina and Jordan finishes (1) (3).

Rangnick admits timing gives Austria the edge

Ralf Rangnick made no secret of it. "It is certainly an advantage that we have the very last game of all, so that we know from the start exactly what result is needed," the Austria manager said (1). That means Austria will take the pitch already knowing whether a draw is enough, or if they must chase a win.

Krankl warns Austria: no 1982 repeat

Hans Krankl, the former Austria striker who played in the 1982 "Disgrace of Gijón" against West Germany, has urged his country to go for the win. "I ask the Austrian team to avoid any calculations against Algeria," he said, referencing the infamous match where both sides settled for a result that eliminated Algeria 44 years ago (6). The shadow of Gijón looms, FIFA introduced simultaneous kickoffs after that tournament precisely to prevent such scenarios, but Algeria find themselves in one anyway.

What you need

Argentina lead Group J and face Jordan in the other match. If Jordan lose, Austria could advance with a draw against Algeria, which makes the Rangnick comments land differently. Algeria must win. Full stop (5) (7).

Fan-reaktioner

The Gijón anxiety is real. On Reddit, Algerian fans and neutrals are asking the same question: will Austria play for the mutually convenient result? Some point out FIFA adopted simultaneous kickoffs to stop exactly this, yet Algeria are once again at the mercy of a team playing last with full knowledge of the table (Reddit: Will the Disgrace of Gijon repeat itself tomorrow?).