Senegal defeated Morocco 1-0 in the Africa Cup of Nations final on January 18, 2026, thanks to Pape Gueye's stunning extra-time goal. The match in Rabat descended into controversy when Senegal players protested a late penalty awarded to the hosts, walking off the pitch and delaying play for over 20 minutes. Brahim Diaz missed the spot-kick, allowing Senegal to rally for their second AFCON triumph in five years.
The Africa Cup of Nations 2025 final between hosts Morocco and Senegal unfolded in Rabat with intense drama from start to finish. The first half saw limited clear chances, with Senegal's Pape Gueye forcing a save from Yassine Bounou early on, while Morocco's Ayoub El Kaabi missed a close-range effort. The game remained goalless at halftime, as both teams probed without breaking the deadlock.
Tension escalated in the closing stages of normal time. Ismaila Sarr thought he had scored for Senegal in added time, but the goal was disallowed for a foul by Idrissa Gueye on Achraf Hakimi. Moments later, in the eighth minute of stoppage time, referee Jean-Jacques Ngambo Ndala awarded Morocco a penalty after a VAR review deemed El Hadji Malick Diouf had fouled Brahim Diaz during a corner. Furious, Senegal coach Pape Thiaw ordered his players off the pitch in protest, with goalkeeper Edouard Mendy initially heading down the tunnel. Captain Sadio Mane urged the team to return, and after more than 20 minutes of chaos—including reports of Senegal fans throwing chairs—play resumed around the 112th minute.
Diaz's attempted Panenka penalty was saved by Mendy, and normal time ended 0-0. Early in extra time, Gueye drove forward and unleashed a brilliant strike into the top corner, giving Senegal the lead. Morocco's Nayef Aguerd hit the woodwork, and Senegal missed an open goal through Cherif Ndiaye, but the Lions of Teranga held firm to secure victory. The win marked Senegal's second AFCON title since 2022. Diaz, despite the miss, collected the top-scorer award from FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
