7 most memorable World Cup playoff ties

#3 Algeria vs. Egypt, 2010 World Cup qualifiers

This tie became incredibly memorable not just because the two North African sides are horribly bitter rivals – the countries are only separated by Libya and their games always had a nasty atmosphere – but because the stakes were high, too – Algeria had last appeared in the World Cup in 1986, Egypt in 1990.

What’s more, most of the time the game wouldn’t have had to happen – it only had to take place because somehow, both sides finished level in their qualifying group with 13 points, and all the other tiebreaking criteria were even too. And so a playoff was needed, with the neutral venue of Sudan chosen to host the game.

It was reported that 15,000 police officers were mobilised for the match, with embassies advising their nationals to avoid the stadium at all costs, and schools and government buildings were shut down early. Scuffles between fans were reported leading up to the game and an especially nasty incident two days prior saw the Egyptian team bus stoned by Algerian fans.

In the end, Algeria won a relatively uneventful game 1-0, but off the pitch, problems continued with riots, demonstrations and flag-burning in both countries. Later on the Egyptian FA filed an official complaint to the FA, while Algeria claimed that there had been an orchestrated media campaign to damage its reputation. It was a classic example of when football almost means too much.