Austria arrived in Kansas City as the more tactically cohesive side and validated that billing with a disciplined, high-energy display. Ralf Rangnick's hallmark gegenpressing system — deployed in a 4-2-3-1 — was immediately evident, with Laimer and Sabitzer forming a relentless double pivot that denied Algeria's creative midfield any rhythm. Baumgartner's 23rd-minute opener was a product of exactly that pressure: Laimer robbed Boudaoui 35 metres from goal, played a crisp one-two with Sabitzer, and slid the ball into Baumgartner's run; the Leipzig man finished low past Mastil with his weaker left foot. Algeria, playing a compact 4-3-3 with Mahrez given a free role off the right, struggled to build through the lines but remained dangerous on the counter. The equaliser arrived from a dead ball — Mahrez curling a sumptuous free-kick over the Austrian wall and into the top-right corner on 54 minutes, silencing GEHA Field momentarily before the Algerian fans erupted. The Foxes-era magic was very much alive. Algeria pushed for a second and Aït-Nouri's driving runs down the left flank caused repeated problems for Mwene, but the final ball was consistently lacking. Austria regrouped, and Wimmer's 78th-minute cross from the right was met by Arnautović — introduced as a second-half substitute — with a powerful near-post header that Mastil could only help into the net. The veteran striker wheeled away in trademark theatrical fashion. Algeria threw men forward in the closing minutes but Austria's backline, marshalled by the commanding Danso, held firm. A 2-1 win puts Austria in a strong position in Group J.

• Austria's high press suffocated Algeria in the first half, forcing 6 turnovers in the final third.
• Mahrez's free-kick equaliser was his 37th international goal — a moment of individual brilliance that briefly silenced Austria's momentum.
• Arnautović's 78' header was his 38th Austria goal, making him the nation's all-time top scorer in World Cup finals.
• Konrad Laimer covered 13.2 km — the most of any player on the pitch — epitomising Austria's engine-room intensity.
• Algeria's xG of 1.21 was almost entirely generated in a 15-minute spell after Mahrez's equaliser, before Austria reasserted control.
• Rayan Aït-Nouri's overlapping runs created Algeria's best open-play chances but final-ball quality let them down.