Yahia sends Algeria to World Cup

Egypt's Amr Zaki (l) battles with Algerian goal scorer Antar Yahia

Algeria booked a first trip to the World Cup in 24 years by beating Egypt 1-0 in a tense play-off in Sudan.

Centre-back Antar Yahia settled a match worth millions of dollars with a stunning strike on 39 minutes.

Reviving memories of Marco Van Basten's goal in the 1988 European Championships final, Yahia cracked home a blistering volley in from a tight angle.

Rookie goalkeeper Fawzi Chaouchi was the night's other hero he constantly denied the six-time African champions.

The North Africans will thus become the sixth African team at the finals, joining fellow qualifiers Ghana, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Nigeria and hosts South Africa.

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.

The triumph is also a personal victory for Algeria coach Rabah Saadane, who was also at the helm when Algeria reached the 1986 finals, their first appearance had been four years earlier.

The veteran coach strangled the game late on when throwing on the defenders as the Fennecs held on for a famous victory.

However, constant time-wasting antics slightly soured Algerian's passage to the finals, even if some may say it was understandable after a 24-year absence.

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.

Egyptian fans are celebrating reaching the 2010 World Cup finals

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-hour 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 El Muhammadi.

Then, after 40 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 shell-shocked Egypt coach Hassan Shehata's men.

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.

Early in the second half, Zaher El Said wasted a good chance for the Egyptians, heading from 10 yards when unmarked at a free-kick.

It was end-to-end just after the hour as Rafik Saifi headed Hassan Yebda's fine cross down but straight at Egypt keeper Essam Al Hadary, who scrambled clear.

A minute later, the Pharaohs' best move of the match ended with Chaouchi diving low after a neat turn and shot from Emad Moteab, Saturday's key goalscorer in Cairo.

Then 18 minutes from time, 23-year-old Chaouchi - only playing in place of suspended stopper Lounes Gaouaoui - denied the Egyptians again on an unforgettable night for a man winning his third cap.

The victory will spark huge celebrations in Algeria and across the Arab world, not to mention the thousands of fans who packed out the El Merreikh stadium.

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