Senegal ripped up the script in Rabat to defeat hosts Morocco 1–0 after extra time, claiming their second Africa Cup of Nations title in one of the most extraordinary finals the tournament has ever witnessed.
The decisive moment arrived four minutes into extra time when Pape Gueye surged into the Moroccan penalty area and unleashed a thunderous left-footed strike into the top corner, beyond the reach of Yassine Bounou.
The goal stunned the home crowd and proved enough to settle a final defined by controversy, tension and high drama.
Normal time ended amid unprecedented scenes. Deep into stoppage time, Morocco were awarded a penalty following a VAR review that ruled El Hadji Malick Diouf had fouled Brahim Díaz inside the box.
The decision sparked furious protests from Senegal, with players walking off the pitch and retreating to the dressing room before eventually being persuaded to return nearly 15 minutes later.
When play resumed, Díaz had the chance to deliver Morocco’s first AFCON title in half a century.
Instead, the Real Madrid forward attempted a panenka, only for Édouard Mendy to read it perfectly and catch the ball on his goal line.
It was the final kick of regulation time and a moment that swung the final decisively in Senegal’s favour.
The match had been fiercely contested from the outset.
Moroccan goalkeeper Bounou produced excellent saves to deny Pape Gueye and Nicolas Jackson in a lively first half, while Nayef Aguerd went close for the hosts just before the break.
Senegal, however, remained composed and resilient, absorbing pressure and growing stronger as the match wore on.
Extra time was played under driving rain, with Senegal displaying remarkable discipline and resolve after taking the lead.
Morocco pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but Mendy marshalled his defence superbly as the Teranga Lions held firm to silence the Rabat crowd.
Morocco had reached the final in the capital after edging Nigeria on penalties in the semi-finals, advancing to their first Africa Cup of Nations final since 2004, when they lost 2–1 to hosts Tunisia.
Senegal, meanwhile, booked their place in Rabat with a 1–0 victory over Egypt in Tangiers, sealed by a late goal from Sadio Mané.
Earlier on Saturday, Nigeria finished third after defeating Egypt on penalties in the third-place playoff.
The shootout saw both Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush miss from the spot, as Nigeria bounced back from their semi-final disappointment to claim third place for the ninth time.
Individual honours were shared among key figures from the finalists. Morocco were recognised with the Fair Play Award, while Brahim Díaz finished the tournament as top scorer.
Senegal’s Sadio Mané was named Player of the Tournament, and Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou received the Golden Glove for his outstanding performances.
At the final whistle in Rabat, Senegal’s players sprinted away in celebration, while Moroccan players and supporters were left stunned by their first defeat of the tournament.
For Senegal, it marked another historic milestone, following their maiden AFCON triumph in 2021, when they beat Egypt on penalties after suffering final defeats in 2002 and 2019.
