In Gijón's shadow: Algeria meet Austria again

Algeria face Austria in the final round of Group J at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Both teams have three points heading into the third round, and a draw would likely send both into the last 32. In that case, Austria, who hold the goal-difference edge, would advance as group runner-up behind Argentina, while Algeria would go through as one of the eight best third-placed teams.

The story runs far beyond the pitch. Algeria have waited 44 years for this revenge. At the 1982 World Cup, Austria colluded with West Germany to eliminate Algeria in a notorious game remembered as the "Disgrace of Gijón." That tournament, Algeria's first, had begun with a shock 2-1 win over Germany. The scandal prompted FIFA to introduce simultaneous kickoffs for the final round of group fixtures. Yet the 48-team format and an extra knockout round mean, in theory, both teams could work toward a result that suits them — though Algeria are unlikely to be in the business of helping Austria.

After bowing to a Lionel Messi hat-trick against Argentina in the opener, Algeria strengthened their qualification hopes by coming from behind to beat Jordan 2-1 in their second match. Vladimir Petković's halftime double change and switch to a more direct 4-4-2 sparked that turnaround. Austria, too, felt Messi's influence; Ralf Rangnick's side lost comfortably to Argentina and looked uncomfortable when they could not dominate possession. Sports Illustrated's prediction favors Algeria: 2-1.

No player in the Algeria squad had even been born when that 1982 elimination took place, lending the match an added symbolic weight. It is also worth noting that the team finishing second is likely to face Spain in the first knockout round.

For Algeria, Petković is expected to carry his effective changes against Jordan into the XI; Nabil Bentaleb and goalscorer Nadhir Benbouali could start, with Benbouali partnering Amine Gouiri in attack. The injured Mohamed Amoura will again miss out. For Austria, Rangnick is considering starting Marko Arnautović, who has so far come off the bench.

Predicted lineups:
Algeria (4-4-2): Zidane; Belghali, Mandi, Bensebaini, Aït-Nouri; Mahrez, Boudaoui, Bentaleb, Maza; Benbouali, Gouiri.
Austria (4-2-3-1): A. Schlager; Laimer, Danso, Alaba, Mwene; Seiwald, X. Schlager; Schmid, Chukwuemeka, Sabitzer; Arnautović.

Image: Sports Illustrated