Senegal were crowned Africa Cup of Nations champions after edging hosts Morocco 1–0 in an AFCON 2025 final that descended into controversy, protests, and extraordinary scenes before a dramatic extra-time winner settled the contest.
The decisive moment arrived early in extra time when Pape Gueye struck to give Senegal the lead, capitalising on Morocco’s emotional collapse following a chaotic end to regulation time. The goal ultimately sealed the West Africans’ triumph after one of the most turbulent finals in tournament history.
Tempers had boiled over minutes earlier when referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a late penalty following a box incident involving Real Madrid midfielder Brahim Díaz. After a lengthy VAR review, the decision was confirmed, prompting furious reactions from Senegal’s players and coaching staff.
Head coach Pape Thiaw responded by instructing his team to walk off the pitch in protest. Captain Sadio Mané attempted to calm his teammates as they moved toward the tunnel, hesitating before eventually complying. Mané was later seen sprinting down the tunnel as tensions escalated.
Senegal’s anger was intensified by an earlier moment in which Ismaïla Sarr had a late goal disallowed for a foul in the buildup. Moments later, Díaz went down under pressure from El Hadji Malick Diouf, leading directly to the disputed penalty award.
As the standoff continued, several Senegal supporters breached advertising hoardings and ran onto the pitch, forcing riot police to intervene. After several minutes of stoppage, Senegal were persuaded to return to the field.
The penalty was finally taken in the 113th minute — 17 minutes after the original incident — but Díaz’s low effort was comfortably saved by goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. The aftermath saw multiple Senegal players, including Sarr and Diouf, booked, while Mendy also received a yellow card for confronting officials as he emerged from the dressing room.
Díaz appeared visibly shaken and was consoled by teammates when the referee brought an end to normal time, with the Moroccan star close to tears after missing what could have been the decisive kick.
Morocco head coach Walid Regragui, who had earlier attempted to calm Thiaw before the walk-off, showed little sympathy as extra time began. Díaz was substituted at the restart as Morocco struggled to regain focus.
The closing stages were played in torrential rain, with objects thrown toward Mendy’s goal by sections of the home crowd. Senegal, however, remained composed, defending resolutely to secure the title.
At the final whistle, Senegal’s players collapsed in celebration on the soaked turf, completing a remarkable reversal of fortune. For Morocco, defeat extended their wait for continental glory to 50 years.
The protest divided opinion among pundits. Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel said he sympathised with Senegal’s frustration but questioned their response.
“I can understand their frustration,” he said “But walking off the pitch is not what I want to see.”