Amid extreme tension, Senegal defeats Morocco to become champions

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final in Rabat produced a spectacle of unparalleled drama, tension, and controversy, as Senegal edged Morocco 1–0 to claim their second continental title. Few words—thrilling, tense, contentious—adequately capture the rollercoaster that unfolded in front of football fans across Africa and the world.

The match began under a cloud of earlier controversy. Senegal’s coach, Aliou Cissé, briefly ordered his players off the field after a disallowed goal, only for national hero Sadio Mané to convince them to return after a 17-minute delay. Morocco, meanwhile, looked determined to end a 50-year wait for the trophy on home soil, with Achraf Hakimi leading their charge.

The first half remained goalless despite several clear chances. Senegal’s Papé Gueye squandered a promising opportunity in the fifth minute, while Elimane scored chance was expertly saved by Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bono at the 37th minute. Morocco responded with Naïf’s aerial miss from Ismaël Syarbi’s precise cross and maintained pressure throughout the first half.

Drama intensified in stoppage time. A corner led to a foul on Morocco’s Brahim Díaz inside the box, confirmed via VAR by referee Jean-Jacques Ndala. Díaz, the tournament’s top scorer with five goals, stepped up to take the penalty—but in a shocking moment, his Panenka attempt was comfortably saved by Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, keeping the scores level and leaving Moroccan fans stunned.

Extra time brought the decisive moment. In the fourth minute of added time, Papé Gueye seized a loose ball to score the only goal of the match, sending Senegal into ecstasy and dashing Morocco’s long-held hopes of lifting the trophy at home.

Senegal now celebrates their second AFCON triumph, having first won in 2021 under Sadio Mané. Morocco, who last won the tournament in 1976 and lost the 2004 final to Tunisia, must wait longer for continental glory despite meticulous preparations and home advantage.

Key Match Events

The 2025 AFCON final will be remembered as one of the most dramatic and extraordinary in the tournament’s history, a true footballing epic that showcased resilience, skill, and the unpredictable beauty of the sport.