World Cup 2026: Algeria & Austria defend ‘unexpected’ draw amid conspiracy theories
Austrian coach Ralf Rangnick said it was “crazy” to suggest any agreement existed for a scripted draw.
He emphasized that the unpredictable last 15 minutes of the match in Kansas City clearly showed that neither side wanted to repeat the ‘Shame of Gijon’.
“When you’re down 3-3 in this game, especially after what we saw in the last 90 seconds, no one can think it’s a done deal,” Rangnick said.
“If someone had said this was going to happen with three minutes left in the game, you would have told them they were angry.
“I have been coaching for nearly 40 years and I cannot remember a match with such a dramatic and unexpected turn of events.
“Most people were expecting 0-0 or 1-1, now it’s 3-3. It’s incredible; the dressing room is absolute madness. If Alfred Hitchcock had written a drama like this, I’d probably say he was completely mad.”
Algeria coach Vladimir Petkovic also dismissed rumors of any adjustments.
“I’m extremely happy that in the end it was football that won and we won; the score means everything, 3-3,” he added.
Austria face Spain in the last 32 in Los Angeles on Thursday 2 July (20:00 BST), while Algeria face Switzerland in Vancouver on Friday 3 July (04:00 BST).
