Petkovic hails Algeria’s grit after Austria thriller
The coach of the Algerian national team Vladimir Petkovic has declared that his team’s final Group J game against Austria went beyond the limits of everyone’s endurance.
The high-stakes game played at the Kansas City Stadium turned out to be a topsy turvy encounter, with both nations dramatically securing their places in the Round of 32 while Iran got knocked out of the tournament.
The Austrian national team scored three goals through Marko Arnautović (28′), Marcel Sabitzer (54′), Saša Kalajdžić (90+6′) while Algeria replied through Rafik Belghali (45′), and Riyad Mahrez (60′, 90+3′).
Speaking after the game against Austria, Petkovic said that the exhilarating game between the two group opponents sort of went beyond the limits of everyone’s endurance.
“It sort of went beyond the limits of everyone’s endurance,” Petkovic said.
While reflecting on the draw, he said; “I’m extremely happy that at the end it was football that won, that prevailed. 3-3 as a score says it all.”
The coach also commented on his team’s Round of 32 knockout game against Switzerland, a side he (Petkovic) coached from 2014 to 2021.
“Switzerland is a great team… I do know them, even if there are new faces, some of them played with me, so I know these players,” Petkovic said.
“Let’s rest and then we will begin again for the next round,” he said. He added.
In the other Group J game played at the spacious Dallas Stadium, Argentina thrashed Jordan 3-1 to maintain their perfect 100% win record at the ongoing 2026 World Cup.
Giovani Lo Celso opened scoring for Argentina in the 19th minute of the game when his brilliantly taken free kick hit the back of the Jordanian net to put scores at 1-0.
Argentina made it 2-0 in the 31st minute when Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez scored from the penalty spot following a lengthy VAR check.
Read Also: DR Congo win to book round of 32 spot as Colombia, Portugal advance
Jordan pulled one goal back in the 55th minute through Musa Al-Taamari with an emphatic finish from an Ehsan Haddad cross but Lionel Messi sealed victory for Argentina with an 80th minute goal.
Messi now holds the record of the only player to have scored in seven consecutive World Cup matches.
Key match statistics: Algeria Vs Austria
Possession: Algeria 58% – 42% Austria
Shots on Target: Algeria 2 – 1 Austria
Accurate Passes: Algeria 292 (90% accuracy) – 190 (84% accuracy) Austria
Duels Won: Algeria 25 – 12 Austria
Key match statistics: Argentina Vs Jordan
Possession: Jordan 27% – Argentina 73%
Total Shots: Jordan 5 – Argentina 12
Shots on Target: Jordan 1- Argentina 4
Big Chances: Jordan 1 – Argentina 3
Pass Accuracy: Jordan 80% – Argentina 92%
Fouls: Jordan 13 – Argentina 7
Corners: Jordan 2 – Argentina 6
