LONDON, England -                        Uncontrollable celebrations by Algerian football fans closed off parts of north London Friday night, as the country won the African Cup of Nations for the first time in 29 years.

Flares and flags filled the streets of Islington, with buses and cars being diverted off of the high street.

Trafalgar Square was also ‘locked up’ after hundreds of supporters descended on the central London spot to continue celebrations late into the night.

Flares and flags filled the streets of Islington, with buses and cars being diverted off of the high street

Algeria won the Africa Cup of Nations for the second time when a freak second-minute goal by Baghdad Bounedjah gave them a 1-0 win over gallant Senegal in the final.

The competition is the equivalent of the UEFA European Championship for Europe, and saw 24 nations play for the top prize.

Bounedjah stunned the Lions of Teranga with a shot which took a wicked deflection off Salif Sane and looped over the bewildered goalkeeper Alfred Gomis and into the net.

Algeria, who committed 32 fouls according to official match statistics, sat back after that and had to scrap for their win in a match that was certainly not a classic but was tense and gripping throughout.

Senegal, beaten by Cameroon on their only previous appearance in the final in 2002, were awarded a penalty for handball in the second half but the decision was revoked following a VAR review.

The final whistle provoked wild celebrations among the large contingent of travelling Algeria fans. It was a fitting end to a tournament that, with 24 teams for the first time, produced plentiful drama even if quality was sometimes lacking.

Algerian football fans held wild celebrations across London last night after their country won the African Cup of Nations in a tense 1-0 win over Senegal at the final in Cairo, Egypt

Senegal were missing Kalidou Koulibaly, arguably Africa';s finest defender, through suspension and his absence was quickly felt at the Cairo International stadium, Egypt.

Trafalgar Square was also ';locked up'; after hundreds of supporters descended on the central London spot to continue celebrations late into the night

*The Mail