Nicknamed the "mother of all matches", the grudge match that was Algeria vs. Egypt did not contain the sparks of the thrilling final group game; but Algeria won’t care. Beating the back-to-back African champions 1-0 in Sudan, the unfancied Algerian side worked wonders to reach their first World Cup in 23 years and many will suggest that it was well-deserved.

Not only did the Algerian side have the better of the qualifying group, they also had to suffer a violent attack as their team bus was stoned on the way to the stadium ahead of their 2-0 defeat in the final, all-important, qualifier. Now, victory five days later will taste all the sweeter as clashes between rival factions extended as far as France in the build-up to the game.

Such was the animosity before the kick-off, FIFA appealed for "fair play and responsibility." At least 32 people were injured in skirmishes after Saturday’s game, while Egyptian businesses in Cairo had millions of dollars worth of damage caused by riots.

The presence of 15,000 Sudanese police around the stadium - nearly one to every two spectators - calmed the atmosphere slightly, but FIFA would not have liked what they saw on the pitch within the first 30 minutes as four players were booked.

Algeria were on the back foot after the initial scuffles, but a moment of brilliance from Antar Yahia - as the centre-back volleyed an incredible strike into the net just before the half - sealed the tie. So often, ties like this are settled by such a moment, and it won’t be one that Yahia will forget in a long while.

Cue wild celebrations. But there was still work to do. A solid rearguard action saw Algeria keep out the Egyptian attack, with first-leg hero Emad Moteab going the closest. One could argue that Egypt coach Hassan Shehata had gambled by keeping Mohamed Zidan and Hosni Abd Rabou on the bench, but even their introduction for Amr Zaki and Ahmed Fahti made no difference.

At the end of the game Algeria ‘keeper Faouzi Chaouchi climbed onto his crossbar to celebrate, bringing back memories of his counterpart Essam El Hadari, who had done the same when Egypt claimed back-to-back African Nations Cup trophies. However it will Chaouchi who will travel to South Africa, against the odds. Egypt will head into the 2010 version of the ANC with a heavy heart. Algeria are in the finals for the first time since 1986.