Senegal Crowned AFCON 2025 Champions After Morocco Implode In Chaos-Filled Final

African football delivered a final for the ages — dramatic, controversial, emotional, and ultimately unforgettable.

Senegal are the champions of Africa once again after edging hosts Morocco 1–0 after extra time in a chaotic AFCON 2025 final that will be talked about for decades. From a disallowed goal, to an outrageous Panenka penalty miss, to player protests and crowd clashes, the night in Rabat had everything except calm.

tense opening sets the tone

The final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium started with the kind of intensity expected of a continental showpiece. Senegal nearly struck early when Pape Gueye rose highest from a corner in the sixth minute, only for Yassine Bounou to produce a sharp save.

Morocco responded through Ismael Saibari, whose long-range effort drifted wide, while Iliman Ndiaye later forced Bounou into another excellent one-on-one stop just before half-time. Despite the chances, the first half ended goalless, tension simmering in the Moroccan capital.

second half frustration and missed chances

Morocco pushed harder after the break but repeatedly failed to make their dominance count. Ayoub El Kaabi sliced wide after being teed up by Brahim Diaz, while Abde Ezzalzouli squandered two golden opportunities, firing over the bar and straight at Edouard Mendy from promising positions.

Senegal thought they had finally broken the deadlock in stoppage time when Abdoulaye Seck found the net, but the goal was controversially ruled out for a foul in the build-up — a decision that sparked furious protests from the Lions of Teranga bench.

the moment that changed everything

Seconds after Senegal’s disallowed goal, the referee pointed to the spot for Morocco following a VAR review involving Brahim Diaz and El Hadji Malick Diouf.

Chaos followed.

Senegal players briefly walked off the pitch in protest, staff members clashed, and fighting reportedly broke out in the stands, leaving at least one steward injured. The match was delayed for over 15 minutes as tempers flared both on and off the field.

When play finally resumed, the entire continent held its breath.

Diaz stepped up.
Mendy stood firm.

In a moment that will haunt Moroccan football, Diaz attempted a Panenka penalty — softly chipping the ball straight into Mendy’s waiting arms. A gamble. A disaster.

gueye delivers destiny

Extra time barely had time to settle before Senegal struck. Pape Gueye surged forward from midfield and unleashed a thunderous strike into the top corner, leaving Bounou helpless and the Moroccan crowd stunned into silence.

The goal proved decisive.

Senegal defended resolutely, while a visibly distraught Diaz was substituted shortly after his miss. When the final whistle blew, the Lions of Teranga collapsed in joy, sealing their second AFCON title and confirming their status as the continent’s modern powerhouse.

heartbreak for hosts, glory for senegal

For Morocco, the wait for a second AFCON title stretches on — now over 50 years and counting. For Senegal, this victory marks another golden chapter, having reached three finals in the last four tournaments and now lifting the trophy once again.

It was a final filled with brilliance, controversy, and raw emotion — a reminder of why AFCON remains one of football’s most compelling spectacles.

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