Algeria booked a first trip to the World Cup in 24 years after beating Egypt 1-0 in a tense play-off in Sudan. Centre-back Antar Yahia settled a match worth millions with a stunning strike of the highest quality on 39 minutes.
Reviving memories of Marco Van Basten's goal in the 1988 European Championships final, Yahia cracked a blistering volley in from a tight angle.
Rookie goalkeeper Fawzi Chaouchi was the night's other hero as he constantly denied the six-time African champions. The two sides needed the play-off after Egypt's 2-0 win over Algeria on Saturday left the pair inseparable at the top of Group C - with the same points, the same goal difference, the same number of goals scored and the same head-to-head record.
Reaching South Africa had been a long-held mission for Egypt, who last qualified for the 1990 World Cup, yet a lacklustre display means they miss the continent's first World Cup. After some pushing and shoving marred the early exchanges, Yahia was the first to properly threaten at a free-kick but was denied by some expert defending.
Indicating the game's pressurised atmosphere, three players were booked inside the first half as emotions bubbled near the surface. Just after the half hour, Aboutrika fired a volley wide from the edge of the area before Chaouchi dived low to his right to expertly deny Ahmed Al Muhamadi.
Then, after 39 minutes, a free-kick punted forward dropped over everyone's heads to the back post where Yahia, both feet off the ground, cracked home his effort off the underside of the bar.
It was a goal fit to win any game, and left Egypt Coach Hassan Shehata and his men shell-shocked.
In the second half, the Pharaohs too often resorted to the long ball, replacing their traditional build-up along the floor, playing into the hands of a magnificent Algeria defence. However, constant time-wasting antics slightly soured Algerian's passage to the finals, even if some may say it was understandable after a World Cup wait of 24 years.
BBC SPORT |
