ALGERIA — A game that looked destined for the drama of penalties instead delivered more than enough theater as both Algeria and Cameroon scored would-be late winners in extra time of their World Cup qualifying playoff second leg on Tuesday.

Level on aggregate from Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting’s 22nd-minute strike, Algeria looked the more likely to make the home fans’ night a beautiful one but Andre Onana made 10 saves on the evening.

Algeria thought it had booked its place at the 2022 World Cup, after Ahmed Touba scored the goal that seemed to clinch qualification, players streamed across the field in ecstasy in the 118th minute.

Cameras shook as 35,000 at the Stade Mustapha Tchaker celebrated what seemed to be the most dramatic of World Cup qualifying clinchers.

Two minutes later, Cameroonian forward Karl Toko Ekambi swept home a 124th-minute winner, and sent those same Algerian players to the grass in disbelief.

At the final whistle, which came seconds after the match restarted, Djamel Belmadi, Algeria's manager, fell to his knees and covered his face. Some Algerian players lay face down on the field. Others emulated Belmadi.

Others stared off into the distance and cried.

Ekambi's strike sent Cameroon to the World Cup via the away goals rule. Algeria had won the first leg in Cameroon last week, 1-0. Cameroon's 2-1 win in Algeria on Tuesday reversed that deficit, and eliminated the 2019 African champions. — Agencies