AFCON 2025 Final Drama: Morocco Miss Controversial Penalty as Senegal Score in Extra Time to Win 1–0

Senegal overcame extraordinary controversy and late drama to defeat hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time and lift the Africa Cup of Nations trophy, following chaotic scenes that will long be remembered as one of the most farcical finals in AFCON history.

Midfielder Pape Gueye struck the decisive blow in the 94th minute on Sunday, moments after Senegal had survived a huge scare when Morocco star Brahim Diaz squandered a last-gasp penalty at the end of regulation time.

The final descended into chaos when Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala, following a VAR review, awarded Morocco a penalty five minutes into stoppage time after Diaz was judged to have been pulled down by Senegal full-back El Hadji Malick Diouf while defending a corner.

The decision infuriated the Senegal bench. Head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw ordered his players off the pitch in protest, prompting angry confrontations between officials and players. It was captain Sadio Mane who eventually persuaded his teammates to return after a 14-minute delay.

When play finally resumed, Diaz had the chance to win the title for the hosts — but shockingly opted for a Panenka-style penalty. His weak effort floated straight into the arms of goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, sparking wild celebrations among Senegal players and fans.

Moments later, Senegal made Morocco pay.

In the fourth minute of extra time, Mane won possession in midfield and fed Idrissa Gana Gueye, who slipped a perfectly weighted pass through to his namesake Pape Gueye. The midfielder kept his composure and fired home to silence the partisan crowd of 66,526 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.

Senegal nearly doubled their lead when Cherif Ndiaye missed a glorious late chance, but the Lions of Teranga held firm to secure their second AFCON title in three editions, following their maiden triumph over Egypt on penalties in 2022.

Ironically, the winning goal was Senegal’s first-ever goal scored in an AFCON final, after failing to find the net in their previous three appearances in the showpiece match.

The final had been tense and low on clear chances. Senegal came closest in the first half when Iliman Ndiaye was denied one-on-one by Yassine Bounou, while Morocco wasted a golden opportunity after the break when Ayoub El Kaabi prodded wide from a Bilal El Khannouss cross.

Earlier controversy had already angered Senegal after a late goal by Ismaila Sarr was ruled out for a foul following a corner kick.

Morocco’s defeat extends their poor AFCON record — they have now won the tournament just once, over 50 years ago — and many home fans left the stadium before the final whistle on a cold, wet Rabat night.

“This was a very difficult match,” match-winner Gueye said. “We gave everything. We really wanted this.”

A visibly disappointed Morocco coach Walid Regragui admitted the pain of the defeat.

“When you get a penalty in the last minute, victory feels very close,” he said. “But football catches up with you. We congratulate Senegal, even if what happened around the penalty was disappointing for African football.”

Senegal will now turn their attention to the World Cup in the United States this June, while hoping to convince Mane — who has hinted this final may be his last AFCON appearance — to return once more.

Meanwhile, investigations are expected into the chaotic scenes involving players, officials, and supporters, with scrutiny likely to fall on both Senegal’s conduct and Morocco’s tournament organisation — casting a shadow over what had otherwise been a successful AFCON.