THREE policemen were among 71 people injured when violence erupted after Algeria beat Rwanda in Sunday’s World Cup qualifier, reports said on Monday.

The Algeria news agency APS said many of the injuries were stab wounds.

Algeria won 3-1 in the game played at Blida where witnesses reported seeing youths fighting with police.

Algeria’s victory means they top Group C in the African zone of World Cup qualifying on 13 points, three ahead of Egypt before the final round of qualifiers next month.

Only the group winners qualify for the World Cup, with the top three finishers also qualifying for the African Cup of Nations in January 2010.

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