Senegal beat host nation Morocco 1-0 after extra time in Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final, with Pape Gueye scoring the decisive goal in a match overshadowed by controversial decisions and on-field chaos.
The game nearly swung in Morocco’s favor when Brahim Diaz took a penalty in the 24th added minute at the end of regulation. Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy saved the weak chip attempt, leaving the Moroccan winger visibly shaken after a nearly 20-minute delay following the penalty award.
Congolese referee Jean Jacques Ndala had awarded the spot-kick after a VAR review for a challenge by Senegal defender El Hadji Malick Diouf in the box. Diaz and the Moroccan team protested the decision, but the penalty stood, igniting fury among Senegalese players and fans.
Some Senegal supporters in the small away section threw chairs and attempted to storm the pitch before being contained by police and stewards. Their anger quickly turned to jubilation when Mendy’s save preserved Senegal’s hopes.
Earlier, Senegal had seen a potential equalizer disallowed in the second added minute when Abdoulaye Seck headed the ball off the post and Ismaila Sarr nodded in the rebound.
After Diaz’s miss, Senegal capitalized on the momentum, with Gueye scoring in the fourth minute of extra time, silencing the home crowd of 66,526 at Prince Moulay Abdullah Stadium and securing the nation’s historic triumph.
