In a final overflowing with tension and controversy, Senegal defeated hosts Morocco 1-0 to be crowned champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday night.
The clash between the continent’s top-two ranked nations lived up to the hype, though not for the faint of heart. After a goalless and cagey first half, the drama exploded in the second period. Senegal thought they had broken the deadlock when Ismaïla Sarr headed home, only for the referee to disallow the goal for a foul on Achraf Hakimi.
The match reached a boiling point in the 97th minute when the Atlas Lions were awarded a controversial penalty. In a stunning turn of events, the Senegalese players walked off the pitch in protest, causing a significant delay.
When play eventually resumed, the pressure fell on Morocco’s Brahim Diaz. The star forward attempted an audacious Panenka, but Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy stood his ground to make an easy save, silencing the home crowd.
Buoyed by the let-off, Senegal found the winner in the first half of extra time. Pape Gueye produced a moment of magic, firing a sublime left-footed finish past the Moroccan defense to secure the title for the West Africans.