Austria coach Rangnick dismisses allegations of pact with Algeria in world cup draw

Ralf Rangnick, the head coach of Austria, has ridiculed suggestions of a pre-arranged result between his side and Algeria following their electrifying 3-3 draw in the final group stage match of the football World Cup. The stalemate allowed both teams to advance to the round of 16.

Speaking after the game, the German tactician pointed to the two stoppage-time goals as clear evidence that no agreement existed. Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez netted what seemed to be a 93rd-minute winner, only for Austrian substitute Sasa Kalajdzic to equalise virtually on the final play of the match.

“In this match, with a score of 3-3, no one can assume there was any deal, especially given what we witnessed in the last 90 seconds,” Rangnick stated. “Three minutes from the end, if anyone had predicted what would happen, they would have been called crazy.”

The seasoned manager, who has coached for around four decades, noted he could not recall a match with such a spectacular and unexpected turn of events. “Most people expected 0-0 or 1-1, and in the end it became 3-3. It’s incredible. The dressing room is absolute madness. If Alfred Hitchcock had written such a script, I would have probably said he was completely mad.”

Rangnick also stressed that both teams kept attacking and trying to score even before Mahrez’s goal. “Everyone who watched the final 15 minutes knows there was no sign that the players were simply chasing a draw,” he said. “I think they wanted to win. Nobody can tell me that at the 93rd minute someone suddenly thought, ‘Oh yes, let’s score another goal.’ I believe that might have been the idea of one or two Algerian players, but not the rest of the team, and certainly not me.”