Rangnick dismisses collusion talk after Austria, Algeria play out six-goal thriller

Austria coach Ralf Rangnick vehemently denied any suggestion of collusion in his team's dramatic 3-3 draw with Algeria, a result that propelled both nations into the World Cup knockout stage. The match's chaotic conclusion, with both teams scoring late goals, served as Rangnick's primary evidence against such theories.

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In this match, when you have a 3-3, nobody can assume that it was an agreement, and especially what we saw during the last 90 seconds.

"In this match, when you have a 3-3, nobody can assume that it was an agreement, and especially what we saw during the last 90 seconds," Rangnick stated. He highlighted the extraordinary finale, where Algeria took a 3-2 lead in the 93rd minute only for Austria's Sasa Kalajdzic to equalize with the game's final touch, as proof of genuine competition.

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Three minutes to play, if somebody had said this would happen, you would have told them they were mad.

Rangnick, a veteran coach of 40 years, expressed disbelief at the match's trajectory, comparing it to a Hitchcockian drama. He asserted that the game's events, particularly in the final 15 minutes, showed no indication that players were content with a draw. "I think they wanted to win," he insisted, dismissing the idea that players would intentionally score late goals as part of a pact.

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I’ve been a coach for about 40 years and I don’t even remember a match that had such a dramatic course and such an unexpected trajectory.

Austria now prepares to face European champions Spain in the round of 32. Rangnick, still processing the team's first World Cup knockout appearance in 44 years, described himself as relieved, incredulous, and happy, needing a pinch to believe the dreamlike reality.

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All who watched the game during the last 15 minutes must know there is no hint that the players absolutely wanted to have a draw. I think they wanted to win.