Senegal crowned 2025 AFCON Champions with dramatic extra-time win over crestfallen hosts Morocco

An extra-time goal from Pape Gueye was enough to secure the win for the Teranga Lions as Morocco's star-man Brahim Diaz missed a penalty with virtually the last kick in regulation time.

Walid Regragui's charges were aiming for their second AFCON title since their maiden win in 1976 but it was Pape Thiaw's team who rewrote the script to seal their second AFCON crown after winning the competiton in 2023.

Morocco were unchanged from their semi-final win over Nigeria but Thiaw's team, who overcame Egypt 1-0, had to make do without suspended duo Kalidou Koulibaly and Habib Diarra, and were dealt a blow ahead of kick-off as influential right-back Krepin Diatta was ruled out after feeling unwell and replaced with Antoine Mendy, who had yet to kick a ball at this AFCON.

Senegal though started this tie on the front foot and created the first opening as Gueye connected to a fifth minute corner at the far post, won by a lively Sadio Mane, but Yassine Bounou made a strong save to keep the header out.

The Atlas Lions responded with a swift attack down the left flank but Abdessamad Ezzalzouli's low cross was hacked clear by El Hadji Diouf.

Ismael Saibari found space open up ahead of him as he raced on goal in the 14th minute but he somehow contrived to blast his shot well wide of the target

A loss of possession by Idrissa Gueye in midfield allowed Morocco to break but Neil El Aynaoui fed a pass to Saibari, who was clearly offside, when Brahim Diaz was screaming for the ball in space to his right.

Morocco were starting to find their passing rhythym and to press and probe their opposition but both sides were wasteful with long-range set-pieces, with Lamine Camara hiting his free-kick straight out of play before Ezzalzouli's effort was overhit and flew harmlessly out of play for a Senegal goalkick.

Morocco came close to taking the lead when Iliman-Cheikh Ndiaye raced through on goal after a defence-splitting pass from Nicolas Jackson but Bounou got an outstretched boot to the ball to deflect the shot off target.

Ezzalzouli had been Morocco's most dangerous player in the first half and showed a neat turn of skill to create space for a ball in the box aimed at Nayef Aguerd, but the Morocco defender took his eyes off the delivery and failed to make contact.

Noussair Mazraoui made a crucial block to deny Lamine Camara after some fancy footwork from Ndiaye to set up the chance as Saibari had a goalbound shot blocked at the other end, for the last action of an entertaining first half.

Diouf had to head clear a dangerous Ezzalzouli cross with Bilal El Khannous ready to pounce, while Mamadou Sarr was well placed to cut out a low cross from Saibari as the home team started the second period well.

Good attacking play from Diouf and Mane caused all sorts of problems for Morocco down the left flank, but the subsequent corner was easily cleared before Ayoub El Kaabi wasted a clear chance to put his side in the lead, from a swift counter-attack, as he side-footed a perfectly weighted pass into the box from El Khannous, inches past the left upright.

El Kaabi had a chance to redeem himself a minute later after a dazzling Diaz run to set him up, but Sarr made an immense block to deny the player before Ezzalzouli sent the rebound wide of the poles.

Moussa Niakhate was all that stood between a Morocco opener with 65 minutes on the clock after a thrilling spell of passes as he hacked clear a dangerous Achraf Hakimi cross from the right, while there was a delay in the action after a clash of heads between Diouf and El Aynaoui.

Both players were deemed fit to continue, although a bloodied and heavily bandaged El Aynaoui needed a change of shirt before he was allowed back on the field, as Senegal introduced Abdoulaye Seck for Antoine Mendy, Ismaila Sarr for Lamine Camara and tennager Ibrahim Mbaye for Ndiaye.

Soon after, El Khannouss made way for Youssef En-Nesyri, while El Kaabi was replaced by Oussama Targhaline.

Hakimi had been quiet by his standards, but curled a good outswinger towards an unmarked Ezzalzouli 12 yards out, but his volley was hit into the ground to allow Edouard Mendy to make an easy save.

Diaz couldn't find a teammate in the box after another good run at goal and Pape Gueye was off balence as the ball dropped to him at the other end, with both teams dreaming of a goal that would stop this tie from going to extra-time.

Jawad El Yamiq was brought on to replace an injured Adam Masina before the best chance of the second half as Mbaye made room to lift a left-foot shot from 15 yards that was superbly pushed away by an outstretched Bounou.

Ezzalzouli then fired over from a tight angle as the action swung from end-to-end with time rapidly running out for either side to win the game in regulation time.

Senegal thought they had won the contest when Sarr headed home a late corner, but Seck was called up for his foul on Hakimi in the lead up to the goal. Replays suggest Senegal were hard done by as Hakimi went down quite easily.

There was still time for yet more drama though, in the dying seconds of this enthralling tie, as a VAR checked ruled in favour of Morocco.

Diaz was wrestled to the ground by Diouf to present Morocco a chance to win the final with virtually the last kick of the game.

A number of yellow cards were dished out as the Senegal players protested the decision, before being ushered off the field by Thiaw in an utterly bizarre turn of events.

The players then made their way down the tunnel before being called back by Mane.

The game was delayed for over 10 minutes before Diaz was allowed to step up, but he could only chip a soft panenka straight into the arms of an unmoved Mendy, and send the tie to extra-time.

Morocco's hearts then sank when Senegal took the lead in dramatic fashion as Gueye fired home, in the fourth minute of injury time.

Mane had stolen the ball in midfield from El Aynaoui and the ball was worked to Gueye, who ran to the edge of the area and walloped a rising shot into the far corner with his left foot.

Diaz's miserable night came to an end as he made way for Hamza Igamane as Ilias Akhomach replaced Noussair Mazraoui.

Morocco spent the next ten minutes on the edge of their oppoents' box, desperate to find an opening, but Mendy was proving hard to beat.

En Nesyri was agonisingly close with a diving header just before half time of extra-time before Mbaye's wonderous run and shot was blocked by Hakimi

Mendy was beaten at the start of the second half by a powerful header from Aguerd that crashed back off the crossbar from six yards out.

Bounou then made an excellent double save from substitute Cherif Ndiaye to keep his team in the game with 10 minutes to play and Morocco were relentless in their attack as they tried, ultimately in vain to claw their way back into this game.

Morocco will feel crestfallen after coming so close to winning in front of their home fans and you have to have sympathy for Diaz, but Senegal will point to their disallowed goal and fantastic strike from Gueye to prove they were deserved winners of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title.