Senegal claimed a remarkable 1-0 victory over Morocco in the Africa Cup of Nations final on Sunday evening, with Pape Gueye’s magnificent strike in extra time securing the Lions of Teranga their second continental crown in the past three tournaments.
The showpiece encounter at Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium delivered extraordinary drama, controversy and ultimately heartbreak for the host nation.
Gueye’s decisive goal came just four minutes into the additional period, capping an astonishing match between Africa’s two highest-ranked sides.
The triumph means Senegal have now won AFCON twice, adding to their 2021 success and cementing their status as the continent’s dominant force.
The closing stages of normal time descended into chaos when Senegal thought they had snatched victory through Ismaila Sarr.
The referee, Jean-Jacques Ndala, controversially blew his whistle before Idrissa Gueye headed the ball home, automatically ruling out the goal.
Fury in the Senegalese camp intensified moments later when VAR awarded Morocco a penalty deep into stoppage time, judging that El Hadji Malick Diouf had brought down Brahim Diaz inside the box.
What followed was unprecedented.
Senegal claimed a remarkable 1-0 victory over Morocco in the Africa Cup of Nations final on Sunday evening
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Senegal’s players were pulled from the pitch in protest of the decision.
A remarkable 15-minute delay ensued as the Lions of Teranga fervently contested the call before eventually returning to the field.
When Diaz finally stepped up to take the spot kick, the Real Madrid midfielder attempted a Panenka, a delicate chip down the centre.
The effort was straight at Edouard Mendy, who gathered the ball comfortably to deny the hosts.
Pape Gueye’s magnificent strike in extra time securing the Lions of Teranga their second continental crown in the past three tournaments
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The decisive goal came just four minutes into the additional period
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The failed conversion sent the match into extra time and compounded Morocco’s misery in front of their passionate home supporters.
The electric atmosphere that had greeted the Atlas Lions at kick-off fell silent as their golden opportunity to win AFCON for the first time in half a century slipped away in the most agonising fashion.
Senegal wasted no time capitalising on Morocco’s penalty misfortune.
Gueye producing a moment of brilliance shortly after the restart.
Brahim Diaz stepped up to take the spot kick, but attempted an audacious Panenka
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Morocco were denied their first title in 50 years
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The midfielder collected possession following a swift counter-attack, drove towards the penalty area, shrugged off Achraf Hakimi and unleashed a ferocious left-footed effort that flew into the top corner.
Morocco threw everything forward in search of an equaliser.
Nayef Aguerd came agonisingly close when his header crashed against the crossbar.
Senegal held firm to become the first side since 1982 to defeat a host nation in an AFCON final, denying Morocco their first title in 50 years.
