“Penalty Miss and Pitch Chaos: Senegal Edges Morocco for AFCON Glory”

Senegal Gueye’s extra-time strike secured Senegal’s second Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title in a dramatic final marred by controversy and chaos at the end of regulation time. The match against host nation Morocco reached boiling point when, deep into stoppage time, a penalty was awarded to Morocco following a VAR review. The decision sparked outrage on the sidelines and in the stands, with Senegalese supporters attempting to storm the pitch and clashing with security personnel.

The delay only intensified the pressure on Brahim Diaz, who stepped up to take what could have been a historic penalty to end Morocco’s 50-year wait for continental glory. Opting for a risky Panenka-style chip, Diaz’s effort was easily caught by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, who held his ground and denied the hosts in the 24th minute of added time.

The 90 minutes preceding the chaos had been largely uneventful, with few clear-cut chances for either side. The unsavory scenes that followed the penalty decision cast a shadow over the tournament’s finale—particularly disappointing for Morocco, which had positioned the event as a showcase ahead of its co-hosting duties for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

Gueye’s goal, just four minutes into extra time, proved decisive. Both teams pushed for more in the added period, but Morocco’s best opportunity to equalize came when Nayef Aguerd’s powerful header rattled the crossbar. As rain drenched the stadium in Rabat, Morocco’s hopes of reclaiming the AFCON crown for the first time since 1976 were heartbreakingly dashed.