Senegal beat hosts Morocco 1-0 in tense AFCON 2025 final

A controversial last-minute penalty awarded to AFCON 2025 hosts, Morocco, led to Senegal walking off the pitch in protest, but Brahim Diaz's spot-kick was saved after the Teranga Lions returned for the match. A controversial last-minute penalty awarded to AFCON 2025 hosts, Morocco, led to Senegal walking off the pitch in protest, but Brahim Diaz's spot-kick was saved after the Teranga Lions returned for the match. The game, played in Morocco's capital Rabat on Sunday, January 18, then ended 0-0 in regulation. Pape Gueye of Senegal scored the match's solitary goal in the 94th minute of extra-time to win the West African nation their second AFCON trophy following their first title in 2021. Senegal's earlier attempts to protest the penalty were rejected by the centre referee, who awarded the spot-kick after a Moroccan player was brought down in the penalty area following a corner kick. The penalty decision was confirmed after a video assistant referee (VAR) review of the said-breach. Morocco's Diaz stepped up for the kick, but his direct attempt was saved by Senegal's goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. Senegal held on to their 1-0 lead until the final whistle at the end of extra-time.