Ekambi scored in the fourth minute of added time with virtually the last kick of the game as Cameroon snatched the meat right out of Algeria’s mouth.
Karl Toko Ekambi scored at the death as Cameroon sealed a dramatic place in the World Cup on the away goal rule. Cameroon won 2-1 on the night with the aggregate score being 2-2 after Algeria had won 1-0 in Douala last week.
Ekambi scored in the fourth minute of added time with virtually the last kick of the game as Cameroon snatched the meat right out of Algeria’s mouth.
The North Africans had just scored an equalizer in the 118th minute through substitute Ahmed Touba and looked well on course to sealing a place at the World Cup, but Ekambi’s sucker punch drained the last ounce of strength as they saw the plane to Qatar fly right off their eyesight.
The game had been forced to extra time after a 1-0 result in normal time, which tied the aggregate score at 1-1.
Captain Maxime Choupo Moting scored the opener for Cameroon, slamming the ball home from inside the box after keeper Rais M’Bohli dropped a corner right at his feet.
With no winner in regulation time, the game had to stretch a further 30 minutes, where it turned out to be a contest between Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana and the Algerian forward line.
Algeria thought they had scored a vital goal when Slimani netted from a cross on the left. However, Algeria’s celebrations were cut short by the VAR, with the Algerian forward adjudged to have handled the ball as he headed the ball in.
Onana made two brilliant saves denying Bellaili’s header from close range and Youcef Attal’s thunderous strike from distance. He was also at hand to stop a curling effort from Riyad Mahrez.
He however collected the ball in his own net in the 118th minute when two substitutes combined, the Cameroonian defense going to sleep and allowing Touba to head home Rachid Ghezzal’s corner unmarked.
With a 1-1 score, Algeria were surely destined to qualify to Qatar with a 2-1 aggregate score, but they were heartbroken in the last minute of the game when Ekambi swept the ball home after Michael Ngadeu headed a Fai Collins cross into his direction.