Published January 19, 2026
Senegal won the Africa Cup of Nations with Pape Gueye’s extra-time winner defeating hosts Morocco 1-0, ending a chaotic final in which the eventual champions ran off the pitch late in the match.
Brahim Dias scored a controversial penalty in the 24th minute of stoppage time on Sunday, giving Morocco a chance to win the trophy.
However, Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, who effortlessly saved a weak ‘panenka’ shot by the Real Madrid winger, looked visibly upset by the long delay after being awarded the spot-kick.
The match at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium then went into extra time, with Gueye’s stunning goal in the 94th minute clinching the title for Senegal.
The controversial penalty was awarded by Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala towards the end of the allotted eight minutes of stoppage time, following a VAR review of a challenge on Dias by El Hadji Malick Diouf.
Morocco’s players loudly appealed to the referee to check the replay, but the decision to ultimately award a penalty was met with outrage from Senegal and its supporters.
Senegal were already furious at the referee’s decision to cancel Ismaila Sarr’s goal for a foul in the second minute of stoppage time.
Diaz’s penalty miss clearly excited Senegal, and his goal in the fourth minute of extra time silenced the crowd of 66,526.
It was Senegal’s second AFCON title in the last three competitions, having lifted the trophy for the first time in 2022 by defeating Egypt on penalties in Yaounde.
The team can now turn their attention to the World Cup and hope to convince star man Mane, who has declared this final to be his last in the tournament, to play in another AFCON.
It was a bitter ending for Morocco, with many fans leaving the stadium before the final whistle on a cold, rainy night.
