West Germany and Austria play infamous match, eliminating Algeria

On June 25, 1982, West Germany faced Austria in a World Cup group match in Gijón, which became notorious for its lack of competitive spirit. Having already secured a victory against Algeria, West Germany scored early in the match but played to maintain a 1-0 score that allowed both teams to advance, thus eliminating Algeria. This match was marked by jeers from the crowd and criticism from commentators, leading to changes in how final group matches are scheduled in subsequent tournaments. The scenario was notable as Algeria had previously made history by defeating a European nation, reinforcing the dramatic nature of World Cup events.

• 2:09 PMYahoo Sports — ⏳ World Cup rewind, the match of shame that knocked Algeria out