Austria coach Rangnick dismisses any pre-arranged draw with Algeria at world cup

Rangnick hits back at draw conspiracy rumours after thrilling 3-3 finish

Austria head coach Ralf Rangnick has strongly dismissed any suggestion that his side and Algeria deliberately played out a pre-arranged draw in their World Cup group-stage encounter, describing the notion as absurd following a dramatic 3-3 scoreline that sent both teams into the round of 16.

Speaking after the match, the German tactician pointed to the two stoppage-time goals as proof that neither team settled for a draw. Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez thought he had secured a 3-2 victory in the 93rd minute, only for Austria substitute Sasa Kalajdzic to equalise virtually with the last kick of the game.

“When you see a 3-3 scoreline like this, no one can seriously claim there was an understanding between the sides – especially considering what we witnessed in the final 90 seconds,” Rangnick said.

“Three minutes from full time, if anyone had predicted what would happen next, they would have been called crazy. I have been a coach for about 40 years, and I cannot recall a match with such a spectacular and unpredictable flow.

“Most people expected a 0-0 or 1-1, and in the end, it finished 3-3. Incredible. The dressing room is pure madness. If Alfred Hitchcock had written such a script, I would probably have called him completely insane.”

Rangnick also stressed that both teams continued to attack and try to score well before Mahrez’s late strike. “Anyone who watched the final 15 minutes knows there was no sign that the players were simply looking for a draw. I believe they all wanted to win.

“Nobody can tell me that in the 93rd minute someone suddenly thought, ‘Oh yes, let’s score another goal.’ Perhaps one or two Algerian players had that idea, but I am sure the rest of the squad did not – and certainly not me.”