Algeria finished the game with three men down, after keeper Faouzi Chaouchi, and defenders Rafik Halliche and Nazer Belhaj were all dismissed for reckless challenges on Egypt players.

"They were too aggressive," the two-time African Cup winner said after the game.

"They have been kicking us through out the game. Even after the final whistle, they refused to shake hands with us."

Fathi started the game as a holding midfielder then switched to a central defender in the second period.

He excelled in both roles and said he is ready to play wherever manager Hassan Shehata asks him to.

"I moved to the backline after Mahmoud Fathallah's substitution. I have no problem with this," he said.