Senegal secure second AFCON title after controversial penalty row nearly forces a final abandonment

Senegal went into the final without captain Kalidou Koulibaly due to injury and suspension, while Morocco were able to field a full-strength squad. Both sides created early chances, with Senegal coming closest in the fifth minute when Pape Gueye’s header from a corner was blocked by goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.

Morocco then dropped deeper and looked to counter-attack, creating several dangerous moments, including a clear chance in the 19th minute. Senegal continued to apply pressure, with Ndiaye missing the best opportunity of the first half after failing to beat Bounou in a one-on-one situation. The opening 45 minutes ended goalless.

Morocco started the second half strongly and pushed Senegal back. In the 57th minute, a move involving Achraf Hakimi and Bilal El Khannouss found Ayoub El Kaabi in space, but the striker could not convert. Morocco maintained their momentum but were unable to find a breakthrough. At the other end, Ibrahim Mbaye forced another save from Bounou with a curling effort late on.

The game took a dramatic turn in stoppage time. Senegal thought they had scored from a corner, but the goal was ruled out for a foul by Abdoulaye Seck on Hakimi. Moments later, in the 96th minute, Brahim Diaz went down in the penalty area after contact with El Hadji Malick Diouf, and the referee awarded Morocco a penalty.

Senegal players strongly protested the decision and walked off the pitch, causing a delay of around 10 minutes. Sadio Mane eventually convinced his teammates to return so the match could continue. Diaz then failed to convert the penalty, sending the game into extra time.

Senegal finally broke the deadlock early in extra time. After Mane won possession high up the pitch, Pape Gueye finished clinically into the top-right corner to make it 1–0. Morocco pushed hard for an equaliser but could not break through in the remaining minutes.

The final whistle confirmed Senegal’s 1–0 victory and their second AFCON title, following their first triumph in 2021. Brahim Diaz finished the tournament as the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON 2025 Puma Golden Boot winner, Yassine Bounou was named Goalkeeper of the Tournament, and Sadio Mane was awarded TotalEnergies Man of the Competition.