According to RMC, after Austria scored a last-minute equalizer in the final group stage match, Algerian fans celebrated because they successfully avoided Spain in the round of 16.

There had been concerns that both teams might play a fixed match, but Algeria and Austria delivered an entertaining contest, drawing 3-3 and both advancing. Algeria advanced as the best-performing third-place team and will face Switzerland, while Austria finished second in Group J behind Argentina and will meet Spain in the knockout round.

Had the match ended at the 93rd minute, Algeria would have faced Spain. At that point, Riyad Mahrez had scored Algeria's third goal, but Sasa Kalajdzic equalized in stoppage time. This goal sent both Austrian and Algerian fans into jubilation.

A strategic outcome

Videos circulating on social media show Algerian fans celebrating after Austria's equalizer. They were celebrating not just their team's draw, but their favorable path forward—avoiding Spain and instead facing Vladimir Petković's Switzerland in the round of 16. For the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations champions, Switzerland represents a more manageable opponent on paper.

These scenes of joy contrast sharply with Iran's elimination. While Algeria and Austria controlled their own destiny, Iran could only hope that one of the other teams would lose. The result did not favor the Iranians.

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