Diarra returns home a hero as Senegal triumph in a remarkable final

Morocco 0-1 Senegal

Senegal win AFCON in Morocco’s background despite a crazy end of the game which saw them protest and leave the pitch

A game that in normal time lacked guilt-edge chances, the game took a bizarre turn in the closing stages in which a late penalty was missed by Brahim Diaz. Senegal took the lead early in extra time from Pape Gueye and won the game after extra-time.

Senegal were missing Sunderland’s Habib Diarra and Kalidou Koulibaly due to suspension and injury. Before the game a lot had been made of the advantages that Morocco had being at home, with complaints over refereeing decisions, tickets and crowds.

Senegal had only been given around 3,000 tickets for their fans despite the stadium having a capacity of 70,000.

A game that had minimal chances will be known in history as perhaps the most bizarre final their has possibly ever been.

In additional time, Senegal put the ball into the net following a Malick Diouf corner, however referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded a freekick to Morocco over a small push in the box.

Only moments later from another set piece Morocco was awarded a penalty for a similar incident, a tangle in the box between Diaz and Diouf. Originally not awarded on the field, VAR got involved and awarded a penalty in the 98th minute.

While the referee was looking at the decision on the screen, all the players surrounded him.

Following the decision, the final fell to choas. with Senegal manager, Pape Thiaw pulling all his players into the dressing room in protest. While crowds broke onto the pitch in anger over the decision.

And in the press box Moroccan and Senegalese journalists clashed over the decision with an alleged fist fight happening.

While the players were off the pitch, Moroccan stewards and ball boys attempted to steal a towel used by Edouard Mendy, it resulted in a fight between Senegalese reserve goalkeeper, Yehvann Diouf and the ball boys, who protected the towel.

Only Sadio Mane, stayed on the pitch and after almost 20 minutes he managed to persuade the players to return to the pitch and carry out the end of the game.

Once the players returned to the pitch the penalty was taken, and after another stoppage over the penalty, Diaz stepped up to take the penalty and missed, his attempted Panenka was scuffed and Mendy was easily able to catch the penalty and the full time whistle was blown straight after.

Diaz was in tears following the miss and was taken off shortly after.

Senegal reacted brilliantly, and in the first five minutes of extra time, Senegal took the lead with a brilliant outside of the box strike from Gueye, which smashed into the top corner of the cross bar and past the keeper.

Morocco almost got level when they hit the bar from a set piece however Senegal held on and won AFCON 2026.

Despite, the game being over the actions hadn’t ended, in the post match press conferences when Thiaw walked in the Moroccan journalists all walked out while the Senegalese applauded.

FT 0-1 (after extra time).