Pape Gueye’s stunner in extra time secured Senegal a second Africa Cup of Nations success after a controversial 1-0 victory over Morocco, which included Senegal players leaving the pitch in protest and Brahim Diaz missing a last-gasp penalty to win it in normal time.
Senegal coach Pape Thiaw had taken his players off the field following the decision to award Morocco a penalty in the 98th minute. He had already been angered by referee Jean-Jacques Ndala ruling out an Ismaila Sarr header moments earlier.
Chaos ensued at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat with no one knowing how the match was going to end as Senegal temporarily refused to finish the game.
With the clock still running, and after some encouragement from Sadio Mane, the Senegal players re-emerged in the 20th minute of stoppage time – but incredibly, Diaz, who was the tournament’s leading scorer with five goals, saw his weakly attempted Panenka penalty saved by goalkeeper Edouard Mendy as Morocco spurned the chance of a first continental title in 50 years.
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It sent the final to extra time and Thiaw’s men, fuelled by a sense of injustice, regrouped and forced their way in front when Gueye surged forward and blasted a left-foot piledriver past goalkeeper Yassine Bounou and into the top corner.
Kalidou Koulibaly, who was suspended for the final but celebrated with his team in full kit, was given the Africa Cup of Nations trophy by FIFA president Gianni Infantino but handed it to Mane, who fittingly lifted it in what could have been his final appearance for Senegal at AFCON.
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A round-up of the extraordinary scenes in the AFCON final between Morocco and Senegal which included player protests, a last-minute penalty miss and stolen towels
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How the dramatic finale played out…
Substitute Sarr thought he had won a tight final for Senegal in stoppage time but referee Ndala ruled out his header for a foul by Abdoulaye Seck on Achraf Hakimi.
I’m not sure I’ve seen a more dramatic turnaround in a major cup final. Morocco were one kick away from being the champions. Brahim Diaz. Extraordinary.
The drama continued into the last minute of the scheduled eight minutes of added time when, having been advised to review Malick Diouf’s challenge on Diaz, the referee pointed to the spot, prompting a furious Thiaw to send most of his players to the dressing room.
Pape Gueye’s stunner sealed AFCON glory for Senegal
Senegal eventually returned and, after Diaz’s sensational slip-up from the spot, Gueye struck four minutes into added time. Bounou went on to deny Cherif Ndiaye a second with a stunning double save, but Gueye’s contribution ultimately proved decisive for Senegal.
A walk off, a panenka miss and a stunner! How the drama unfolded?
90+2: Senegal have a goal disallowed.
90+8: Morocco win a controversial penalty in the final moments of stoppage time.
90+12: The Senegal players leave the pitch in protest
90+20: The Senegal players eventually return to field
90+24: Brahim Diaz sensationally tries a Panenka from the spot and Edouard Mendy saves it
Extra time (94): Pape Gueye smashes Senegal in front with goal that eventually seals his side AFCON success.
In pictures: AFCON final descends into chaos…
Despair for host nation Morocco
Senegal’s Pape Gueye celebrates after scoring
Brahim Diaz missed his Panenka penalty
The managers were deep in discussion as the Senegal players left the field
Diouf was adjudged to have fouled Diaz in the penalty area
Mane the peacemaker – ‘That shows the great man he is’
Sadio Mane is hoisted aloft by his team-mates
When his team-mates returned to the dressing room, it was notable that Sadio Mane was the player who stayed out.
He was the one who appeared to get the Senegal players back out onto the pitch so that the game could finish.
The former Liverpool forward also went over to the Senegal fans at full-time to calm them down as trouble threatened to escalate at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
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Senegal’s Sadio Mane criticised the near-abandonment of the AFCON final against Morocco following a controversial penalty decision
“He went back to the dressing room and brought those players back,” former Morocco international Hassan Kachloul said on E4.
“That shows the great man he is.
“African football was losing and world football was losing. Sadio Mane was the man to bring them back on.”
‘Walk off not a good look’
Former Wimbledon forward Efan Ekoku on Pape Thiaw’s decision to take his Senegal players off:
“It [the penalty award] was soft.
“It was foolish and reckless by El Hadji Malick Diouf, but the decision had been made and the players have to abide by that.
“You cannot do that [leave the pitch]. However aggrieved you feel at it you have got to let the referee and the rules [make the decision]… I have got some sympathy, but this is not a good look.”
Diaz’s ‘nightmare’ moment
While it was joy for Senegal it was despair for Morocco – and in particular Brahim Diaz.
One of the stars of the tournament with five goals and finishing as the top scorer, his AFCON will now be remembered for that Panenka penalty miss.
Described on social media as a candiate for the worst penalty in football history, Diaz was left visibly shocked and he had tears in his eyes as he finished the game on the bench.
It will be a moment he will replay in his mind over and over again in the coming weeks.
“To do that it spoils everything Brahim Diaz has done well in this tournament,” former Nigeria captain John Obi Mike said on E4.
“He is going to be devastated. This is going to be tough on him, for weeks, for months.”
Kachoul added: “I think Brahim Diaz is going to have a lot of nightmares in the coming days, but that is part of football life.
“Diaz must have changed his mind a few times before kicking that ball. Unfortunately for Morocco, they paid the price.”
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‘My soul aches’ – Diaz apologises for penalty miss
Diaz has apologised for his penalty miss in the final against Senegal, stating his “soul aches” and he will work tirelessly to repair the relationship with Moroccan supporters.
Writing on his X account, Diaz said: “My soul aches. I dreamed of this title thanks to all the love you gave me, for every message, for every show of support that made me feel I wasn’t alone.
“I fought with everything I had, with my heart first and foremost. I failed yesterday, and I take full responsibility and apologise from the bottom of my heart. It will be difficult for me to get up, because this wound doesn’t heal easily, but I will try.
“Not for myself, but for everyone who believed in me, and for everyone who suffered with me. I will keep going until one day I can repay all this love and be a source of pride for the Moroccan people.”
