Senegal secured a dramatic 1–0 victory over Morocco after extra time on Sunday to claim the Africa Cup of Nations title at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, ending the hosts’ long unbeaten home record in a final marred by controversy.
The pulsating encounter was decided by a moment of individual brilliance in extra time, but the match will be remembered largely for an unprecedented protest that temporarily brought proceedings to a halt.
With the scoreline still goalless deep into second-half stoppage time, Senegal appeared to have taken the lead through Ismaila Sarr, only for the effort to be ruled out for a foul in the build-up. Moments later, the referee awarded Morocco a penalty after a shirt pull on Brahim Díaz inside the box.
In a dramatic turn, Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw ordered his players to leave the pitch in protest against the officiating decisions. The standoff lasted over 15 minutes before senior players, led by captain Sadio Mané, persuaded the team to return to the field.
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The tension intensified when Díaz stepped up to take the penalty, attempting an audacious panenka. Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, however, stood firm and saved the spot kick, sending the final into extra time.
Senegal eventually broke the deadlock through midfielder Pape Gueye, who unleashed a powerful long-range strike that curled into the far corner, leaving Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou rooted to the spot.
The Teranga Lions professionally managed the closing stages of the game to seal their second AFCON title and shatter Morocco’s 16-year unbeaten run on home soil, which dated back to 2009.
Both sides had chances during regulation time. Bounou had earlier denied Iliman Ndiaye with a fine save in the first half, while Morocco’s Ayoub El Kaabi missed a clear opportunity late in the game, firing wide when clean through on goal.
In the end, Senegal’s resilience, composure under pressure and ability to navigate a night of chaos proved decisive, sealing a historic and turbulent AFCON triumph.