Senegal Defeat Morocco in Controversial AFCON FinalSenegal were crowned Africa Cup of Nations champions after edging hosts Morocco 1–0 in a dramatic and deeply contentious final that descended into chaos late on.
The decisive moment came in extra time, but the match was overshadowed by a storm of controversy during the closing stages of normal time. Morocco were awarded a late penalty following a challenge on Real Madrid midfielder Brahim Díaz, a decision made only after an extended VAR review by referee Jean-Jacques Ndala. The call provoked an angry backlash from Senegal’s players and coaching staff.
Furious at the ruling, head coach Pape Thiaw instructed his players to leave the pitch in protest. Captain Sadio Mané attempted to calm his teammates as they reluctantly headed toward the tunnel, before later racing after them himself as tensions escalated.
Senegal’s frustration was heightened by an earlier incident in which Ismaïla Sarr appeared to have scored a late winner, only for the goal to be ruled out for a foul in the build-up. Minutes later, Díaz went to ground under pressure from El Hadji Malick Diouf, prompting the controversial penalty award.
The situation spiralled further as a number of Senegal supporters breached the perimeter boards and entered the pitch, forcing riot police to intervene. After a lengthy delay, Senegal were eventually persuaded to return to the field.
Díaz stepped up to take the penalty in the 113th minute — a full 17 minutes after the original incident — but his tame effort was easily saved by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. In the aftermath, referee Ndala issued yellow cards to several Senegal players, including Sarr and Diouf, while Mendy was also booked after confronting officials as he emerged from the tunnel.
Visibly shaken, Díaz was consoled by teammates and appeared close to tears when the referee brought normal time to an end.
Morocco head coach Walid Regragui, who had earlier attempted to defuse tensions during the walk-off, showed little sympathy as the match moved into extra time. Senegal seized the moment almost immediately, with Pape Gueye firing in the winning goal just five minutes after the restart.
Regragui withdrew Díaz at the start of extra time as Morocco struggled to regain composure. The closing stages were played in torrential rain, with objects thrown toward Mendy’s goal by sections of the home support.
Senegal held their nerve amid the turmoil to secure the title, collapsing in jubilation on the rain-soaked pitch at the final whistle after one of the most dramatic finals in AFCON history. For Morocco, the defeat extended their wait for continental glory to half a century.