Algeria – Austria: forty-four years on from Gijón, the Fennecs face the ghost of revenge at World Cup 2026

Fate has a consciousness of irony. Forty-four years aft the trauma of the "Disgrace of Gijón," Algeria look Austria successful a World Cup lucifer that inevitably stirs memories of 1982. The stakes this clip are wholly antithetic – though the arithmetic is apt to measurement connected minds erstwhile more.

Following their singular comeback triumph against Jordan (2-1), Algeria caput into this 3rd circular of radical signifier matches with 3 points, level with Austria. Both sides were beaten by Lionel Messi's Argentina, and some cognize that a gully would nonstop them done to the past 32 – Austria arsenic runners-up and Algeria astir surely arsenic 1 of the champion third-placed sides.

World Cup 2026 -- Group J

Gijón revisited?

Enough to substance speculation of a caller "Gijón"? Many are already reasoning it. Several planetary media outlets person revisited the infamous 1982 precedent – the alleged "Disgrace of Gijón" – erstwhile West Germany and Austria passed the shot among themselves for implicit an hr aft an aboriginal German goal, eliminating Algeria contempt their 2 victories. The ungraded prompted FIFA to docket the last group-stage matches simultaneously from that constituent forward.

This time, the concern is different. A gully would suit some sides connected paper, but thing guarantees either squad volition question 1 out. Not slightest due to the fact that finishing 2nd oregon 3rd leads to precise antithetic paths done the knockout bracket. The calculations exist, but they are acold little straightforward than they were successful Spain 44 years ago.

Rabah Madjer rejects the comparison

Speaking connected MBC, Rabah Madjer urged the players not to fto the past specify them.

"I powerfully counsel the players not to deliberation astir what happened to america successful 1982 successful Gijón. Stay focused connected the match, due to the fact that we are astir to look a precise beardown team. What happened belongs to the past. Today, it is you who are penning your ain history."

The erstwhile African Ballon d'Or victor besides expressed assurance contempt Algeria's mixed commencement to the tournament.

"Algeria did not suffer to Argentina – they mislaid to Messi. He tin alteration a lucifer connected his own. That decision really gave the players other information earlier the Jordan game."

Madjer nevertheless urged caution, describing Austria arsenic "physical, speedy and precise rigorous tactically."

The "Belloumi Boys" privation to crook the page

In the stands, 1982 was already connected everyone's minds. Before the triumph implicit Jordan, 5 supporters known arsenic the "Belloumi Boys" – dressed successful the iconic greenish shirts of 1982 bearing the fig 10 of Lakhdar Belloumi – drew attraction from each sides. Their connection was clear: it is clip to determination connected from Gijón for good.

Algeria present clasp their destiny successful their ain hands. A triumph would enactment each the calculations to remainder erstwhile and for all. A gully would successful each likelihood beryllium capable to beforehand via the champion third-placed sides ranking. But beyond the scenarios and statistics, the Fennecs person supra each the accidental to alteration 1 of the astir achy episodes successful their past into a caller section – this 1 written connected the pitch.