Senegal vs Morocco live: Senegal win chaotic Afcon final after Diaz ‘Panenka’ miss and walk-off protest
Senegal 1-0 Morocco (after extra time): Brahim Diaz fluffed a ‘Panenka’ penalty for the chance to win the Africa Cup of Nations, after the Senegal team had stormed off the pitch in protest
Pape Gueye’s stunning goal in extra time won the Africa Cup of Nations final for Senegal - after hosts Morocco missed the chance to win the trophy for the first time in 50 years as Brahim Diaz fluffed a ‘Panenka’ penalty following a controversial late decision that sparked an extraordinary protest from the Senegal team.
The final in Rabat descended into chaos deep into stoppage time when Morocco were awarded a penalty after a VAR review by Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala when Diaz went down the box under the challenge of El Hadji Malick Diouf.
Senegal, who had an opening goal disallowed for a soft foul on Morocco captain Achraf Hakimin moments before, were outraged and the majority of the Senegal team, led by head coach Pape Thiaw, stormed off the pitch, leading to a 14-minute delay.
When Senegal were convinced to come back onto the pitch by talisman Sadio Mane, Diaz, with the chance to win a historic Africa Cup of Nations title for the hosts Morocco in the 24th minute of stoppage time, chipped his penalty softly down the middle - resulting in the easiest of saves for goalkeeper Mendy.
The final then went to extra time, where Gueye scored a stunning goal to win Senegal their second Africa Cup of Nations title in four years, in a final that will be remembered as one of the most chaotic international matches of all time.
Follow all the latest updates from the Afcon final below:
Sadio Mane reluctantly takes the trophy-lifting honours
Kalidou Koulibaly would traditionally lift the trophy as Senegal skipper but after the events of tonight, there’s not much of a surprise he gives Sadio Mane the honours.
Mane is always the reluctant hero, but he eventually holds the gold aloft. Senegal are champions of Africa!
Senegal players get their crowning moment
And now the Senegal players get their medals. In the pouring rain, the Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah is all be empty.
Morocco players given their runners-up medals
Morocco’s players look truly heartbroken as they receive their runners-up medals. This was meant to be there Afcon.
The majority are removing their medal before they reach the end of the stage.
Brahim Diaz receives his golden boot
Gianni Infantino awards Brahim Diaz his golden boot, with his tally of five goals meaning he ends Afcon 2025 as the tournament top scorer.
The Real Madrid midfielder had been nothing short of stellar before night - but after that penalty, he’ll know how his Afcon will be remembered. To say he looks dejected is an understatement.
Sadio Mane's defiance pays off
There was just one Senegal player left on the pitch when Pape Thiaw dragged his team back into the dressing room amid the chaos of Morocco’s controversial penalty: Sadio Mane, their leader.
He stayed out there and got his team back onto the field to finish the final, whether that penalty was scored or not. It was the right thing to do an it paid off.
The behaviour of Senegal’s wider team will be the main talking point of tonight’s final, but Mane can only be praised for his actions.
Senegal win Africa Cup of Nations after final descends into
FULL-TIME! Senegal 1-0 Morocco
There is so much to unpack. Stay tuned for reaction from one of the most extraordinary, controversial and dramatic continental finals in football history.
FULL-TIME! Senegal 1-0 Morocco
Pape Gueye’s stunning goal in extra time won the Africa Cup of Nations final for Senegal - after hosts Morocco missed the chance to win the trophy for the first time in 50 years as Brahim Diaz fluffed a ‘Panenka’ penalty following a controversial late decision that sparked an extraordinary protest from the Senegal team.
The final in Rabat descended into chaos deep into stoppage time when Morocco were awarded a penalty after a VAR review by Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala when Diaz went down the box under the challenge of El Hadji Malick Diouf.
Senegal, who had an opening goal disallowed for a soft foul on Morocco captain Achraf Hakimin moments before, were outraged and the majority of the Senegal team, led by head coach Pape Thiaw, stormed off the pitch, leading to a 14-minute delay.
When Senegal were convinced to come back onto the pitch by talisman Sadio Mane, Diaz, with the chance to win a historic Africa Cup of Nations title for the hosts Morocco in 24th minute of stoppage time, chipped his penalty softly down the middle - resulting in the easiest of saves for goalkeeper Mendy.
The final then went to extra time, where Gueye scored a stunning goal to win Senegal their second Africa Cup of Nations title in four years, in a final that will be remembered as one of the most chaotic international matches of all time.
FULL-TIME! Senegal 1-0 Morocco
SENEGAL ARE THE AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS CHAMPIONS!
Morocco’s dreams of a home title are crushed. A truly inconceivable final.
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