Senegal were crowned champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after edging hosts Morocco 1–0 in a dramatic and controversy-filled final decided in extra time.
The tense encounter at a packed stadium remained goalless through 90 minutes, but it was far from short on drama.
Deep into stoppage time, chaos erupted after referee Jean-Jacques Ndala took a second look at an incident in the box and controversially pointed to the penalty spot in Morocco’s favour.
The decision sparked immediate outrage from the Senegalese players, who walked off the pitch in protest in the 90+9th minute before eventually returning following intervention from match officials.
Morocco were handed a golden opportunity to seal the title in regular time, but Real Madrid forward Brahim Díaz failed to convert from the spot.
His poorly struck penalty was comfortably saved by Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, silencing the home crowd and sending the final into extra time.
Díaz, who had scored five goals earlier in the tournament, was unable to find a decisive sixth when it mattered most.
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Senegal capitalised on their reprieve moments later. Just four minutes into extra time, midfielder Pape Gueye struck the decisive blow, firing home in the 94th minute to give the Teranga Lions the lead.
Morocco pushed desperately for an equaliser for the remainder of extra time but were met by a disciplined Senegalese defence and a composed Mendy, who ensured his earlier penalty save proved pivotal.
At the final whistle, Senegal celebrated a hard-fought victory that secured them the AFCON 2025 title, while the controversial officiating and missed penalty will long be debated by Moroccan fans after a final that swung on fine margins.