'Completely mad' - Austria manager Ralf Rangnick responds to 'match-fixing' claims after dramatic 3-3 draw with Algeria

Austria head coach Ralf Rangnick has dismissed suggestions his side settled for a draw after a thrilling 3-3 draw with Algeria secured both teams a place in the World Cup knockout stages.

The result was enough to send Austria through as group runners-up and Algeria into the next round as one of the best third-placed teams, but only after a breathtaking finale that saw both sides continue pushing for victory until the final whistle.

Austria took the lead midway through the first half through Marko Arnautovic before Rafik Belghali equalised for Algeria just before the break. Marcel Sabitzer restored Austria's advantage 10 minutes into the second half, only for Riyad Mahrez to level again five minutes later.

Mahrez looked to have won it for Algeria when he struck in the third minute of stoppage time, but Sasa Kalajdzic had the final say, scoring with virtually the last kick of the game to rescue a point for Austria.

Despite the draw proving the perfect result for both nations, Rangnick rejected any suggestion the teams had played for the outcome.

"In this match, when you have a 3-3, nobody can assume there was an agreement, especially after what we saw during the last 90 seconds," said the former Manchester United interim manager.

"Three minutes from the end, if somebody had told you this would happen, you would have said they were mad.

"I've been a coach for about 40 years and I don't remember a match with such a dramatic and unexpected course.

"Most people anticipated a 0-0 or 1-1, and instead it finished 3-3. It's incredible. The dressing room is madness. If Alfred Hitchcock had written such a drama, I probably would have said he was completely mad."

Rangnick also pointed to the frantic closing stages as proof that neither side had been content with a draw.

"Anyone who watched the last 15 minutes knows there wasn't the slightest indication the players wanted to settle for a draw," he said. "They wanted to win.

"Nobody can tell me that in the 93rd minute somebody suddenly planned to score another goal. Maybe one or two Algeria players were thinking about the draw, but I don't believe the rest of the squad were, and it certainly wasn't the case for us."

Austria handed tough test in knockout stages

Austria's reward for finishing second in the group is a daunting round-of-32 tie against Spain, while third-placed Algeria face Switzerland.

Despite the difficult challenge ahead, Rangnick believes Austria have shown they can compete with anyone.

"You saw that in the closing moments," he said. "And who would have thought Turkey would be eliminated after only two matches?

"We're delighted to have come through what I believe was the toughest group and to finish second. That was definitely not easy.

"I am relieved, incredulous and happy. I still can't believe it. I need to be pinched to wake up from this dream."