Senegal stunned hosts Morocco to win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title after a dramatic 1–0 victory in extra time on Sunday night, sealing their second continental crown in one of the most extraordinary finals in the tournament’s history.
Midfielder Pape Gueye scored the decisive goal four minutes into extra time, smashing a powerful left-footed strike off the underside of the crossbar to silence a packed stadium in Rabat and crown the Lions of Teranga champions of Africa once again.
The final was defined as much by Senegal’s discipline and composure as by a chaotic and controversial end to regulation time that left Morocco mentally shattered.
Senegal began on the front foot and nearly struck early when Gueye met a corner with a firm header, forcing goalkeeper Yassine Bounou into a sharp save.
The West Africans controlled possession for long spells in the first half, frustrating the hosts and limiting their attacking rhythm.
Senegal came closest before the break through Iliman Ndiaye, who broke free down the right in the 38th minute and sent a low effort toward the far corner, only for Bounou to deny him with an outstanding reflex save.
Morocco, meanwhile, struggled to bring their key attacking players into the game, with their best first-half opportunity falling to defender Nayef Aguerd, whose header drifted wide.
The hosts showed greater urgency after the interval and should have taken the lead just before the hour mark when Bilal El Khannouss delivered a perfect cross to Ayoub El Kaabi, but the striker inexplicably sent his effort wide from close range.
As the match wore on, Senegal gradually regained control and looked the more assured side, drawing another fine save from Bounou late in regulation time and having a goal controversially ruled out following a corner.
What followed in stoppage time was unprecedented in an AFCON final. Deep into the added minutes, Morocco were awarded a penalty after a VAR review ruled that Brahim Diaz had been fouled in the area.
The decision sparked furious protests from Senegal, who briefly threatened to walk off the pitch amid heated exchanges involving players, officials and technical staff. Captain Sadio Mane eventually calmed his teammates and persuaded them to continue.
Diaz stepped up to take the penalty himself, but his attempted Panenka was calmly saved by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, who remained standing in the centre of the goal.
The astonishing miss brought a surreal end to regulation time, which stretched more than 25 minutes beyond the 90.
Morocco never fully recovered from the psychological blow. Just four minutes into extra time, Senegal struck decisively as Gueye unleashed a thunderous drive from outside the box that crashed in off the crossbar.
The goal proved decisive, despite a late rally from the hosts, who came closest to equalising when Aguerd’s header struck the woodwork in the second period of extra time.
Senegal held firm to the final whistle, sparking emotional celebrations as they lifted the trophy on Moroccan soil.
The victory underlined Senegal’s status as one of Africa’s modern footballing powers, while Morocco were left to rue missed chances and a final that slipped away in dramatic fashion.