Sasa Kalajdzic pauses for a few seconds, takes a deep breath, gives an indication is about to answer FIFA's question, then takes another breath.
He is still caught up in the shock of what he has just experienced.
"To be honest, I was... I'm lost for words, it's incredible," said the Austrian, struggling to find the words to describe what the world has just witnessed. "They're incredible scenes."
He has just become known as a miracle-worker for an entire country. His astonishing story has been retold and shared on social media at the speed of light, and the Austrian fans are celebrating their new hero. The almost-two metre tall forward has just saved his national team from FIFA World Cup 2026™ elimination in the most dramatic circumstances.
Austria were heading out when Riyad Mahrez put Algeria 3-2 ahead in stoppage time, but Kalajdzic had the last word, netting a last-gasp equaliser to send his team through and set up a last-32 clash with Spain.
Over the next few days, Kalajdzic's shirt will be the symbol of an impossible night, and the Austrian will never tire of telling the tale of his consecration in Kansas City.
But Kalajdzic's tale is not any old story; the now-hero has had to overcome a fair share of setbacks along the way. Nobody would have foreseen the need for his dramatic to secure qualification for the Round of 32 – not even his head coach, Ralf Rangnick. "If Sasa had told us six months again that he would be called up for the squad, and that now, over the last few weeks, he was going to score such an important goal, no one would have believed him."
Prior to this historic moment, Kalajdzic had suffered a series of injuries which halted his progression. His first injury setback came in 2019, not long after signing for VfB Stuttgart, when he tore a cruciate ligament in his left knee and also suffered damage to his internal ligament and external meniscus.
But Kalajdzic recovered, rediscovered his best form, and got a move to Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers in August 2022 after two successful seasons in the Bundesliga. However, his first appearance in the English top-flight was cut short, taken off as early as half-time following another tear in his left knee.
Since then, he has lost 767 days to injury, getting no further game-time in England. This prompted a return to Germany in 2024, hoping to get his career back on track at Eintracht Frankfurt. But, sadly, the Austrian suffered another injury after just five games with the German side, tearing his cruciate ligament again, as well as the lateral ligament in his right knee.
"I just wanted to get away from everything," said Kalajdzic, recounting his worst nightmare.
Early into the 2025-26 season, the Austrian returned to his homeland to play for LASK Linz, finally putting together the string of appearances that he had been longing for and registering seven goals and 11 assists in the process.
"But this shows that if you keep looking forward," said Rangnick. "If you set yourself goals and work hard to achieve them every single day, things can happen. I'm very, very happy for him."
On the game's dramatic conclusion, the Austria coach said: "They scored against us and we were in shock. But these things happen. And then special things can still happen in football and in life. This is something that will live long in the memory."
Kalajdzic was helpless at that moment, seeing his side crash out of the tournament from the bench before Rangnick decided to bring him on, desperately looking for an equaliser. Kalajdzic added: "After they scored the goal, I thought, 'Well then, I'm going to show [everyone] what I'm made of. I'm ready'. And thanks to God, we got that opportunity and we put it away. I think Austria is relieved, and we are all relieved right now. I'm lost for words. I'm very happy but also in a state of shock."
The Austrian forward replaced Phillipp Mwene in the 95th minute, scoring his side's crucial equaliser just a minute later.
"I'm happy that I could bring something to the team," he said. "On this journey, on this adventure that we're experiencing, we're living a fairytale and we want to continue writing it. The draw shows that we have an incredible mentality and that we're always prepared for everything. It doesn't matter what happens or what the result may be; we're always ready to fight, to give it our all, for the people of our country. We want to make them feel proud and happy. And we achieved that today."
Marcel Sabitzer, who scored Austria's second goal on the night, added: "He [Kalajdzic] is there to score goals, so that was a big moment for him. He had a long-term injury and it wasn't a good time for him. But now he's back, he's scored an important goal, and we're very happy for him, and obviously for the team too. It’s crucial."
Next up for Austria is a clash with Spain, who they will meet in Los Angeles on 2 July in the Round of 32.
Sabitzer added: "It will be a tough game for us. A strong opponent with lots of quality and who like to keep possession. We'll need to be alert off the ball [and] we'll need to make the most of it when we get it. Now we're going to recover, do our analysis, and then come back firing to face Spain."
Sources: FIFA Official
