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It almost sounds like an apology! After the injury time drama between Algeria and Austria (3:3), Algeria’s scorer (3:2) Riyad Mahrez commented on his goal. He clearly felt obliged to defend himself because he scored!
Background: With the score 2:2, the Algerians passively kicked the ball back and forth for several minutes shortly before the end, and the Austrians made no further attempts to seriously attack. Because: A draw meant safe passage to the playoffs for both teams. If there was an underdog in the game, that team would be eliminated after the preliminary round.
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However, in the third minute of stoppage time, Mahrez was released from the game with a through ball, went alone towards the opponent’s goal and converted the 3–2 advantage. This was a shock to the Austrians, but not particularly good for the Algerians. A win would move them up to second place in the group and face favorites Spain in the round of 16. A very late equalizer from Austrian Kalajdzic (90+6) ensured that this did not happen in the end, which many Algerian fans celebrated. Although the North Africans are currently third in the group against Switzerland, coach Ralf Rangnick’s side have been spared that. VM-From.
A scenario that Mahrez almost prevented with his goal. His apologetic reaction after the game: “I know, to be honest, it was a little frustrating. We had the ball and they rolled back. But at the last second someone plays the ball into the middle. I have to run. I have to respect football. I have to score, I have to try to score a goal. Just like they were trying to score a goal. They were in the lead. They were 2-1 up. I know it’s a nasty situation, but that’s football. I have to respect that.” Mahrez’s final words: “The good thing is that it’s good for them that they scored a goal and qualified. We both qualified and that’s the most important thing today.”