AFCON 2025 Final: Gueye Stunner Clinches Senegal Victory After Diaz Penalty Miss And On-pitch Protests

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Senegal secured a second Africa Cup of Nations crown with a 1-0 extra-time win over Morocco, ending a chaotic AFCON 2025 final in Rabat. Pape Gueye struck a stunning long-range goal after Senegal’s players had earlier walked off in protest at a late penalty decision, turning a tense night into one of the most dramatic title deciders in recent tournament history.

The controversy peaked deep into stoppage time of normal play, when referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a penalty in the fifth added minute. El Hadji Malick Diouf was judged to have dragged Brahim Diaz down, triggering angry protests. Senegal coach Pape Thiaw then ordered the squad to leave the pitch, while Sadio Mane tried to calm the situation and urged teammates to continue.

After a delay of around 19 minutes, Senegal eventually returned from the dressing room and the penalty was finally taken in the 24th minute of stoppage time. Diaz attempted a Panenka-style chip from the spot, but the effort lacked height and power. Edouard Mendy stood his ground, caught the ball with ease, and kept Senegal alive as the home crowd braced for celebrations that never came.

The momentum then swung sharply in extra time. Three minutes into the additional period, Pape Gueye powered through midfield and reached the edge of the box. The midfielder shrugged off challenges, set the ball onto the right foot, and drilled a fierce strike into the far corner. The goal settled the AFCON 2025 final and sent Senegal’s bench sprinting down the touchline.

Despite the defeat, Morocco created more attempts over the 120 minutes and beyond. The hosts produced 20 shots and generated 2.19 expected goals, but hit the target only three times. Senegal were far more clinical, registering 14 attempts, with seven on target and 1.75 expected goals. The numbers underlined how small margins shaped the AFCON 2025 final outcome.

The result added another chapter to Senegal’s recent record in the competition. Senegal now hold two AFCON titles, having previously defeated Egypt on penalties following a goalless draw in the 2021 showpiece. Before this, Senegal lost finals to Cameroon on penalties after a 0-0 draw in 2002, and suffered a 1-0 defeat to Algeria in the 2019 edition.

Pape Gueye’s strike carried extra historical weight for Senegal. The midfielder’s shot was the first goal Senegal have ever scored in an AFCON final. In every previous showpiece, Senegal either drew 0-0 before penalties or lost 1-0. This time, the Lions of Teranga did not need a shoot-out to lift the trophy and could celebrate from open play.

AFCON 2025 final: match flow and key Senegal vs Morocco chances

For most of normal time, the AFCON 2025 final was far calmer than the late chaos suggested. The opening half brought few clear chances until the closing stages. Iliman Ndiaye saw an opportunity go begging for Senegal, while Nayef Aguerd failed to convert a promising Morocco chance, keeping the contest balanced going into the interval.

After half-time, Morocco began to find more gaps. Ayoub El Kaabi dragged a shot wide from close range in the 58th minute, wasting one of the best openings of the match. Shortly afterwards, a heavy clash between El Hadji Malick Diouf and Neil El Aynaoui halted play. El Aynaoui suffered a head wound with visible bleeding, but continued after treatment.

The collision produced an eight-minute stoppage that significantly extended the second half. That delay contributed to the huge amount of added time later played in the AFCON 2025 final. It also affected the rhythm of both sides, with players repeatedly regrouping while medical staff worked to ensure El Aynaoui could safely remain on the pitch.

Drama had already started before the decisive penalty episode. In the first minute of stoppage time, Idrissa Gueye met a cross with a firm header that struck the post. The rebound looped up and Ismaila Sarr nodded in from close range. However, referee Jean-Jacques Ndala had already blown for a soft foul on Achraf Hakimi, cancelling the goal and heightening Senegal’s frustration.

That disallowed effort left Senegal angered even before Diaz’s penalty award. When Diaz went down under pressure from Diouf, emotions boiled over on the Senegal bench and among players. Thiaw directed the team towards the tunnel and refused to resume, while Mane tried to persuade teammates that the AFCON 2025 final had to be completed on the pitch.

Once Mendy denied Diaz from the spot, the mood inside the stadium changed again. Diaz was visibly devastated at the final whistle, with cameras showing tears as teammates tried to console the Real Madrid forward. Morocco pushed hard late in extra time, with Aguerd heading against the crossbar, but time and accuracy deserted the hosts under pressure.

There was still late drama even after Pape Gueye’s winner. Aguerd rose to meet a cross and directed a header against the bar, narrowly missing an equaliser. At the other end, Cherif Ndiaye somehow fired wide with the goal unguarded. When the final whistle eventually sounded, Senegal’s players in green and fans celebrated a hard-fought AFCON 2025 final victory.