Senegal vs Morocco Highlights, AFCON Final: FT SEN 1-0 MAR; Senegal crowned champions after Pape Gueye's extra-time goal

Senegal remained ahead of Morocco in terms of possession until the very end. And while Morocco had more shots (17-11), their opponents were slightly ahead in terms of shots on target (6-5).

The former Liverpool forward, who currently plays alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, went out of his way to call his teammates back on the field after they walked off the pitch in protest against a last-minute penalty being awarded to Morocco.

Mane, who has likely made his final AFCON appearance and joins a select list of players who have won the continental competition twice, ensures that a fantastic tournament ends on a high, and not in ignominy.

Several Moroccan players are in tears after the referee’s final whistle, knowing just how close they came to being crowned African champions for the second time in 50 years! None, however, will be more distraught than Real Madrid forward Brahim Diaz, who made a meal of a last-minute penalty.

And even after Pape Gueye’s extra-time goal, Nayif Aguerd nearly leveled the scores with a header off a corner that hit the crossbar!

120+3′: The Senegalese substitutes storm the pitch after the referee blows his whistle one last time in the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations! With that, the Lions of Teranga join an elite list of nations with multiple AFCON titles – having won both in the space of four years!

Morocco had the trophy on a platter after being awarded a penalty in the final minute of stoppage time! Brahim Diaz, however, picked the worst possible moment for a Panenka, and ended up paying a steep price for the same!

110′: Cherif Ndiaye attempts a shot from point blank range after being fed the ball in the box from the right flank, and faces an open goal after a rebound off keeper Bounou – only for his follow-up shot to fly wide of the post! He could have sealed the final with a goal off the bench!

Morocco, too have come close to an equaliser during this period, including in a corner than ends with the ball hitting the woodwork off a Nayef Aguerd header!

104‘: The latest of those chances involves a header by En-Nesyri off a cross from the left flank by Ezzalzouli that goes wide of the left post. A couple of minutes earlier, play had been halted due to a collision between Mendy and Igamane, the latter charging into the box and attempting to get his team level.

Diaz, meanwhile, is in tears in the team dugout.

WHAT A FINAL THIS HAS TURNED OUT TO BE SO FAR! After the drama of a walkout, Diaz ends up chipping the ball straight to Mendy in what is a rather tame penalty! Diaz looks shattered after the missed opportunity, and is being consoled by his teammates!

With that, the final heads into extra time!

90+12′: Senegal clearly are rattled by a last-minute penalty being awarded to Morocco, and are in no mood to allow the penalty kick to be taken, getting into arguments with members of the opposition as well as the referee.

Senegalese coach Pape Thiaw then escalates the matter to another level after calling his players to the touchline!

It’s not just the pitch where the drama is unfolding – apparently a fight has broken out in the stands, and security personnel are being called in to handle the matter.

90+8′: Diaz is seen screaming for a penalty following a Morocco corner, and while referee Ndala ignores it initially, he decides to take a second look on the monitor. A massive roar echoes around Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium after the referee awards the decision in favour of the home team.

The Senegalese don’t take kindly to the penalty being awarded against them, leading to yellow cards for Ismaila Sarr and El Hadji Malick Diouf.

90+2′: The ball finally hits the back of the net for the first time this evening, only for the referee to halt the celebrations after pointing to Seck shoving Hakimi inside the penalty area. Sarr had headed the ball in past Bounou but hardly got the time to celebrate.

Couple of more changes now, with Cherif Ndiaye replacing Nicolas Jackson for Senegal and Anass Salah-Eddine replacing Ismael Saibari for Morocco.

85′: Just five minutes left in regular time now, which will be followed by an extended stoppage time though due to El Aynaoui’s injury. Both teams have created plenty of chances so far, but neither has been able to capitalise on it to break the deadlock.

Senegal, meanwhile, launch a fresh charge towards the Moroccan goal that ends with a Pape Gueye shot that goes wide.

67′: Morocco are awarded a corner five minutes past the hour mark after Hakimi’s cross is kicked away for a corner by Niakhate. Both Neil El Aynaoui and El Hadji Malick Diouf jump to meet the corner kick, and end up clashing heads that brings the game to a screeching halt.

The medical staff are out at the centre and while Diouf has an ice pack on his head, El Aynaoui clearly has had it a lot worse.

The 2025 AFCON final was off to a glittering start at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. Here are some glimpses from the performances:

The continent, in tunes. 🌍❤️

Africallez, live from the #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 Closing Ceremony. pic.twitter.com/NGVuhmNI0P

— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 18, 2026

Senegal are slightly ahead of Morocco in terms of possession and are 2-0 against their opponents in terms of shots on target.

45+5′: Both teams make a couple of fine saves shortly before the conclusion of the first half, with Camara’s shot at the edge of the Moroccan box from a central position blocked by one of the defenders. Morocco win a corner in the final piece of action before the referee’s whistle, but aren’t able to capitalise on it.

Don’t go anywhere, with the second half of the 2025 AFCON final set to begin shortly!