Egypt 2 - 0 Algeria

Last-ditch Moteab goal forces play-off

Updated: November 14, 2009, 8:00 AM UK

Egypt and Algeria will return to the pitch on Wednesday to settle the last of Africa's qualifying berths for the 2010 World Cup after a dramatic late goal gave the home side a 2-0 win in their last group game on Saturday.

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Substitute Emad Moteab's header five minutes into stoppage time gave Egypt the winning margin they needed over Algeria in a tense encounter in front of just over 74,000 fans in the capital and ensured they finished level at the top of Group C.

FIFA determined earlier this week the two teams would play off in neutral Sudan if the group was deadlocked. Remarkably, the two nations boast an identical record of four wins, one draw and one defeat, with nine goals scored and four conceded. And with Algeria beating Egypt 3-1 in the reverse fixture, the two side's head-to-head record is also identical.

Algeria were a minute away from holding out for their first World Cup finals appearance in 24 years when Moteab struck with a looping header at the back post.

A 1-0 defeat would have seen Algeria through to the finals in South Africa on goal difference. Egypt needed to win by three clear goals to book a place for the first time since 1990.

The dramatic end replicated a furious start as Egypt took the lead after just two minutes through striker Amr Zaki.

He followed up after Mohamed Aboutrika struck the post and the initial rebound from Mohamed Zidan was palmed away Algeria goalkeeper Lounes Gaouaoui.

Egypt searched desperately for the second goal they required but were persistently thwarted by an Algerian side aiming to reach their first finals since 1986.

But in the fifth of six allocated minutes of stoppage time Moteab nodded past Lounes Gaouaoui to send the home supporters into raptures and keep the Pharaohs' World Cup dream alive.

The match was preceded by an attack on the Algeria team bus by Egyptian youths in which three players suffered facial cuts. FIFA had to appeal for calm while the Egyptian FA claimed Thursday's incident was staged by the Algerians.