Austria face Algeria with knockout spot at stake

Austria go into Saturday's World Cup group finale against Algeria knowing a draw will do the job for both sides at Kansas City. The scenario carries the weight of history: the nations have not met at a World Cup since the notorious 1982 "Disgrace of Gijón," when West Germany and Austria played out a result that sent Algeria home. Ralf Rangnick's squad arrive with momentum tempered by last week's 2–0 friendly loss to Argentina, a defeat the camp treated as a tactical proving ground rather than a setback. A point is all that is needed, but the ghosts of 1982 will be in the air.