Hat-trick man Jensen

Frendly results:
Egypt 1-4 Denmark
Libya 2-4 Canada
Tunisia 1-0 Sweden
Algeria 1-3 Belgium

Egypt have taken a major knock ahead of next month's must-win Nations Cup qualifier.

The manner in which they were beaten by Denmark in Cairo will give coach Mohsen Saleh huge cause for concern.

The Egyptians took control of the game in the first half and deserved to take the lead in the 25th minute.

Hamed Hassan let rip with a thunderbolt from the right-hand edge of the box, giving Thomas Sorensen no chance.

But things began to go wrong almost immediately.

Tarek Said was sent off on the half-hour after he brought down Jon-Dahl Tomassen, who had a clear run on goal, just inches outside the box.

Claus Jensen made no mistake from the resulting free-kick, scoring with a delightful strike into the top left corner.

A good night for Lemerre

Egypt managed to hold things together until the break, and started the second half brightly.

But Denmark's pressure told, and after Tomassen calmly tapped home from a low cross on the hour, the flood gates opened.

Ten minutes later, Jensen got his second of the night, slicing through the Egyptian defence to slot coolly home.

He then completed his hat-trick, with another well-taken shot into the bottom left corner.

Denmark could have scored five more times, such was the disorganisation of the Egyptian defence.

Disgruntled home fans rained stones down onto the pitch, causing the referee to stop the game for several minutes.

And to cap a bad night, Ghaly was sent off in the final minute to leave the Egyptians with just nine men.

Elsewhere in North Africa, there was also little to cheer.

Algeria's new coach George Leekens saw his side go down 3-1 at the hands of his native Belgium.

Its a result that immediately puts his position under pressure.

In Tripoli, Libya were beaten 4-2 by Canada, with both the home sides goals scored by Tarek Taaeb who was outstanding throughout the game.

The only bright spot was in Tunis, where Tunisia beat Sweden 1-0.

Najeh Brahem scored the goal just after the break.

The result is a big confidence booster to the Tunisians who have had a disastrous 18 months, but who may be finding their feet under new coach Roger Lemerre.