AFRICAN NATIONS CUP: Egypt 4 Algeria 0:DEFENDING CHAMPIONS Egypt strolled into the African Nations Cup final as eight-man Algeria bowed out in ignominious fashion. The game was evenly poised until Rafik Halliche felled Emad Moteab in the box eight minutes before the break, earning a red card for his troubles, and Hosni Abd Rabou converted the spot-kick.

Mohamed Zidan added a classy second after 65 minutes before Nadir Belhadj saw red for a horror challenge on Ahmed El Mohamady five minutes later.

Mohamed Abdelshafy grabbed his first goal for Egypt nine minutes from time, but there was still time for Algeria goalkeeper Faouzi Chaouchi, who should have been dismissed in the first half, to pick up a second yellow and for Mohamed Gedo to make it 4-0 in stoppage time.

It was revenge for Egypt who missed out on a World Cup spot when they were beaten by their rivals in a play-off.

For nearly 40 minutes it was an even contest.

Karim Matmour should have done better for Algeria 10 minutes in when, unmarked at the back post, me missed his kick.

A minute later Madjid Bougherra tried his luck from range. The shot was always skidding wide but was close enough to cause Essam El Hadari fleeting discomfort.

After 25 minutes, the mercurial Zidan combined well with Emad Moteab, who curled in a shot which Chaouchi dived to palm away.

Just after the half-hour mark, Moteab stretched in the area but could not quite reach a dangerous curling cross from Sayed Moawad.

The key moment came after 37 minutes, when Moteab went down under a challenge from Halliche and referee Codja Koffi gave a penalty. After a lengthy delay, Koffi also produced the red card.

Halliche only had himself to blame as the chance came from his botched clearance.

Hosni converted with the help of a stuttering run-up which incensed Chaouchi, who made a vehement protest to the referee, even seeming to make contact with his head. The ’keeper was lucky not to be sent off.

Moawad had the chance to add a second when he advanced into the area but fired wide with Bougherra paying close attention before the floodgates opened for Egypt.

ALGERIA:Chaouchi; Bougherra, Belhadj, Yahia, Halliche; Mansouri, Yebda, Ziani, Meghni (Laifaoui 67); Matmour (Abdoun 75), Ghezzal (Amine Zemmamouche 89).

EGYPT:Al Hadari; Fathallah (Gedo 59), Al Muhammadi, Said, Gomaa; Fathi, Abd Rabou, Moawad (Abdelshafi 78), Hassan; Zidan, Motaeb (Ghali 52).

Referee:Bonaventure Coffi Codjia.