Khaberni - Algeria is undertaking a dual mission, on Saturday, when it meets Austria in Kansas City in the final third round of the Group Ten competitions in the North American soccer World Cup.
Algeria aims to kill two birds with one stone in its match against Austria to secure its ticket to the second round for the second time in its history after the first time in 2014 in Brazil and to seek revenge against the European team that "conspired" with West Germany in the 1982 edition in Spain, denying it from becoming the first Arab and African team to advance past the first round, before its neighbor Morocco did so in the following edition in Mexico.
The defeat of Austria to West Germany 0-1 in the 1982 edition in Spain remains lodged in the tournament’s record as one of its worst scandals under the name “the Disgrace of Gijón,” after the two teams exited with a result that ensured their mutual qualification at the expense of Algeria by goal difference.
Algeria received a harsh defeat against Argentina with three goals from its star Lionel Messi, but it regained balance by turning the tables on Jordan 2-1 in the Arab derby in the second round.
Algeria is tied with Austria with three points each, trailing by three points behind Argentina, the defending champion, which has secured its qualification to the round of 32.
Austria leads Algeria by goal difference, a position that seems preferable to Algeria to avoid a confrontation with the projected champion of Group Eight, Spain, the champion of Europe.
But even if it ends the group stage in third place, Algeria's task will be difficult against Switzerland, the champion of Group Two, or the champion of Group Seven, currently held by Egypt, or the champion of Group Eleven between Portugal and Colombia, or the champion of Group Twelve, currently led by England.
