What had been widely described as the most predictable and least dramatic Africa Cup of Nations in decades exploded into one of the most controversial and unforgettable finals in tournament history.
Senegal emerged victorious, defeating Morocco 1–0 after extra time in a match that will be remembered not only for Pape Gueye’s stunning winner, but also for a dramatic walk-off protest, a missed Panenka penalty, VAR controversy, and total pandemonium inside the stadium.
When the final whistle sounded, players from both teams collapsed to the turf — Senegal in exhaustion and triumph, Morocco in heartbreak. For the Atlas Lions, it meant extending their painful 50-year wait for another AFCON title.
Injury-Time Chaos Turns the Final on Its Head
The chaos began two minutes into injury time when Abdoulaye Seck was penalised for a slight push on Achraf Hakimi as the Moroccan full-back headed against the post. IsmaĂŻla Sarr nodded in from close range, but the referee had already blown for a foul.
Four minutes later, following a VAR review, El Hadji Malick Diouf was judged to have pulled Brahim DĂaz while defending a corner. The referee pointed to the spot.
For Senegal — already convinced there was a plot against them — this decision was the breaking point.
Almost the entire Senegal squad stormed off the pitch in protest.
Sadio Mané was visibly reluctant to leave and later ran down the tunnel to convince his teammates to return. Former Senegal coach Claude Le Roy and El Hadji Ousseynou Diouf were forced to step in as mediators. Fifteen minutes passed before play could resume.
DĂaz Misses Panenka as the Stadium Erupts
Morocco’s talisman Brahim DĂaz, already with five goals in the tournament, stepped up with the chance to end his country’s 50-year drought.
After a long delay, DĂaz kissed the ball, placed it on the spot, walked back… and attempted a Panenka.
Édouard Mendy calmly caught the soft chip.
The stadium descended into madness. Advertising hoardings collapsed in front of Senegal supporters and riot police were deployed as scenes of wild celebration erupted.
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15:23 agoFour minutes into extra time, Neil El Aynaoui was dispossessed on the halfway line. The ball was worked to Pape Gueye, who surged forward and unleashed a thunderous strike into the top corner.
It was a sensational goal — a fitting winner in a match that had descended into footballing chaos.
Morocco threw everything forward, firing cross after cross into the box. Nayef Aguerd hit the bar, Youssef En-Nesyri headed inches wide, and Senegal threw bodies in front of every shot.
At the other end, Cherif Ndiaye somehow missed an open net from six yards, summing up the wild drama of the final.
But Senegal held firm.
A Final That Had Everything
The match itself had been a slow-burning tactical battle.
Senegal played with discipline and patience, trusting that one moment of quality would decide the contest. Morocco enjoyed more possession, but struggled to break down Senegal’s resilient defence.
Ayoub El Kaabi missed a glorious chance in the second half, while Brahim DĂaz and Hakimi will both replay their near-misses in their minds for years.
Extra time, however, was pure theatre — all the drama of the tournament packed into its final 30 minutes.
History for Senegal, Heartbreak for MoroccoThere will likely be sanctions for Senegal’s walk-off protest, and the controversy will be debated for years.
But history will record only one fact:
Senegal are champions of Africa — again.
They lift their second AFCON title on Moroccan soil, despite conceding a 98th-minute penalty and surviving one of the most chaotic finals ever played.
Football, as always, refuses to follow logic.
Final ScoreSenegal 1–0 Morocco (After Extra Time)
AFCON 2025 Final
- Goalkeeper: Édouard Mendy
- Defenders: Antoine Mendy, Mamadou Sarr, Moussa Niakhaté, El Hadji Diouf
- Midfielders: Lamine Camara, Idrissa Gueye, Iliman-Cheikh Ndiaye, Pape Gueye
- Forwards: Nicolas Jackson, Sadio Mané
- Yehvann Diouf
- Mamadou Camara
- Pathé Ciss
- Boulaye Dia
- Habibou Diallo
- Krèpin Diatta
- Ismail Jakobs
- Ibrahim Mbaye
- Cherif Ndiaye
- Ousseynou Niang
- Cheikh Sabaly
- IsmaĂŻla Sarr
- Pape Sarr
- Abdoulaye Seck
- Mory Diaw
- Goalkeeper: Yassine Bounou
- Defenders: Achraf Hakimi, Nayef Aguerd, Adam Masina, Noussair Mazraoui
- Midfielders: Neil El Aynaoui, Ismael Saibari, Bilal El Khannous
- Forwards: Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, Ayoub El Kaabi, Brahim DĂaz
- El Mehdi Al Harrar
- Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal
- Ilias Akhomach
- Sofyan Amrabat
- Youssef Belammari
- Mohamed Chibi
- Jawad El Yamiq
- Youssef En-Nesyri
- Hamza Igamane
- Soufiane Rahimi
- Romain Saiss
- Anass Saleh-Eddine
- Chemsdine Talbi
- Oussama Targhaline
- Munir Mohamedi
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