Senegal have been crowned kings of Africa for the second time in their history after a night of unprecedented drama saw them overcome hosts Morocco in an acrimonious AFCON 2025 final.
In a match that will be remembered as much for its controversy as for its football, Pape Gueye’s stunning extra-time strike settled the contest in Rabat. However, the victory came only after Senegal’s players temporarily walked off the pitch in protest at a stoppage-time penalty award that threatened to derail their tournament.
The Lions of Teranga held their nerve in the face of a hostile atmosphere at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium to reclaim the title they first won in 2021, leaving the home nation in despair.
Final marred by “shameful” scenes
The match exploded into life in the final minutes of regulation time when Morocco were awarded a penalty following a VAR review. Brahim Diaz appeared to be pulled back in the box, a decision that incensed the Senegalese technical bench.
In a remarkable show of defiance, Senegal coach Pape Thiaw ordered his players to leave the field. A delay of nearly 20 minutes followed as CAF officials and senior players, including Sadio Mane, worked to persuade the team to return.
AFCON 2025: Schedule, results and standings of the Africa Cup of Nations
When play finally resumed, Diaz—one of the stars of the tournament—attempted an audacious Panenka chip from the spot. It proved a fatal error of judgment; Edouard Mendy stood his ground and comfortably caught the ball, sending the final into an unlikely 30 minutes of extra time.
Gueye the hero in the rain
With the momentum firmly back in their favor, Senegal struck the decisive blow just four minutes into extra time.
Pape Gueye, the Villarreal midfielder, surged through the heart of the Moroccan midfield before unleashing a ferocious left-footed drive from the edge of the area. The ball flew past Yassine Bounou and into the top corner, silencing the 66,000-strong home crowd.
Pape Gueye’s winner. 🇸🇳
A @royalairmaroc Top View. ✈️#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/8HZJ1StEsc
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 19, 2026
Morocco threw everything forward in a desperate search for an equalizer under the pouring rain. Nayef Aguerd thudded a header against the crossbar and Youssef En-Nesyri saw a goal-bound effort blocked, but Senegal’s makeshift defense—missing the suspended Kalidou Koulibaly—held firm until the final whistle.
Match stats
| Statistic | Senegal | Morocco |
| Goals | 1 | 0 |
| Shots (on target) | 11 (6) | 17 (5) |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 1.75 | 2.19 |
| Possession | 55% | 45% |
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐋𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐀 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐀𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐍 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒. 🇸🇳🏆#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/6nTRDNmKDs
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 18, 2026
“History will remember we won”
The fallout from the final is likely to continue for weeks, with Morocco coach Walid Regragui labeling the Senegalese protest as shameful.
For Senegal, however, the celebrations in Dakar will be long and loud. They have now won two of the last three AFCON titles, cementing their status as the continent’s dominant force of the decade.
