Quick report: Algeria 0-4 Egypt

(GSM) – Egypt are through to the final of the Africa Cup after a highly eventful 4-0 win over arch rivals Algeria in Thursday’s semi final.

Both sides showed from the start that this match was simply one they had to win, but most of the game in the opening phase took place on Algeria’s half.

The Egyptians had their first big chance on 24 minutes with Algeria keeper Chaouchi doing well to parry a well-performed shot from Emad Moateb.

But if the match had not come to life yet, it surely did when Rafik Halliche brought down Motaeb in the 36th minute with a second yellow card and a penalty as result. Hosny Abd Rabbou took the spot kick and converted for 1-0.

The influential Moateb would not see the end of the match as he came off injured in the 52nd minute, Hossam Ghaly taking his place.

The second half featured a slightly less offensive Egypt at first as the defending African champions waited for a counter-attack. Such an attack occurred in the 65th minute and allowed Mohamed Zidan to strike past Chaouchi for 2-0.

Algeria went another man down five minutes later, when defender Nadid Belhadj fouled Abd Raddou and was handed a direct red card by referee Codjia.

Egypt went on to dominate Algeria and got their third goal in the 81st minute. Substitute Abdul-Shafi received a short pass from Zidan and slammed it into the net to make it 3 against 0.

To make matters worse for Algeria, they had keeper Chaouchi sent off late on. Reserve goalie Zemmamouche would take his place between the posts for the remaining few minutes, in which Algeria had only eight men left on the pitch.

Four minutes into added time, Egypt made it 4-0 as another substitute, Gedo, netted from about 14 meters.

Egypt, who also won the previous two editions of Africa’s most prestigious international tournament, now face Ghana in the final on Sunday. Algeria and Nigeria meet for third place a day earlier.