Senegal Crowned Kings of Africa After Chaos and Glory in Rabat

SENEGAL 1-0 MOROCCO (A.E.T) Scorer: Pape Gueye 94'

In what will be remembered as the most controversial and dramatic final in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations, Senegal have defeated hosts Morocco 1-0 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium to claim their second continental title.

A stunning extra-time strike from Pape Gueye settled the encounter, but the match was defined by a chaotic 25-minute period of second-half stoppage time that saw a disallowed goal, a team walk-off in protest, and a missed "Panenka" penalty.

The Decisive Moment

After 90 minutes of high-tension but scoreless football, the breakthrough arrived just four minutes into extra time. Idrissa Gana Gueye spearheaded a rapid counter-attack, finding Pape Gueye on the edge of the area. The midfielder unleashed a thunderous left-footed strike that flew into the top corner, leaving Yassine Bounou rooted to the spot and silencing the 50,000-strong home crowd.

Stoppage Time Insanity: The Walk-Off and the Panenka

The game exploded into life in the 92nd minute when Senegal’s Ismaïla Sarr bundled the ball into the net, only for it to be ruled out for a debatable foul on Achraf Hakimi.

Moments later, the drama reached a fever pitch. VAR intervened to award Morocco a penalty for a foul by El Hadji Malick Diouf on Brahim Díaz. Furious with the perceived injustice, Senegal coach Pape Thiaw instructed his players to leave the pitch.

After a 15-minute standoff and a personal plea from captain Sadio Mané, the Lions of Teranga returned to the field. Brahim Díaz, with the weight of a nation on his shoulders, attempted a cheeky "Panenka" chip, but Édouard Mendy stood his ground, catching the ball with ease to send the match into extra time.

Live Update Timeline

• 120+3' - FULL TIME: Senegal are the champions of Africa! The Lions of Teranga hold firm against a late Moroccan onslaught.

• 111' - BIG MISS: Cherif Ndiaye has a golden chance to make it 2-0 on the break but drags his shot wide after Bounou's initial save.

• 108' - WOODWORK: Nayef Aguerd rises highest from a corner, but his header thumps against the crossbar! Morocco inches away from an equalizer.

• 94' - GOAL! Senegal 1-0 Morocco: Pape Gueye lashes a rocket into the top right corner! A moment of pure quality amidst the madness.

• 90+24' - PENALTY SAVED! Edouard Mendy humiliates Brahim Díaz, catching his Panenka attempt. Unbelievable scenes.

• 90+12' - PROTEST: The Senegal team begins walking toward the tunnel. The final is on the verge of abandonment.

• 90+8' - VAR PENALTY: A penalty is awarded to Morocco. Chaos ensues on the touchline.

• 45' - HALF TIME: A cagey 0-0. Bounou has been the busier of the two keepers, denying Pape Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye.

Reaction from Rabat

Sadio Mané (Senegal Captain): "We felt the world was against us today, but we stayed together. I told the boys we have to finish this on the pitch. This trophy is for all of Senegal who believed in us when things got crazy."

Walid Regragui (Morocco Coach):

"It is a cruel way to lose. The penalty miss changed the energy of the stadium. We apologize to our fans; we gave everything, but the ball would not go in."

The Verdict: While Morocco's 50-year wait for an AFCON title continues in heartbreaking fashion, Senegal's resilience and tactical discipline under Pape Thiaw cement their status as the new powerhouse of African football.