Senegal has been crowned champion of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after edging host nation Morocco 1-0 in a tense and chaotic final played in Rabat.
The decider at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium was settled in extra time, with Villarreal midfielder Pape Gueye scoring the decisive goal. His thunderous strike into the top corner proved enough to hand the Teranga Lions their second continental crown.
The final was overshadowed by controversy late in regulation time. During second-half stoppage time, Senegal’s players briefly walked off the pitch in protest after the referee awarded Morocco a penalty following a prolonged VAR review, sparking angry scenes on and off the field.
Play was halted for 15 to 20 minutes before Senegal captain Sadio Mané intervened, persuading his teammates to return and allow the match to continue. Calm was eventually restored, but tensions remained high inside the stadium.
Morocco was handed a golden opportunity to win the match when Brahim Díaz stepped up to take the penalty. However, the Real Madrid midfielder attempted a Panenka-style kick that was comfortably saved by Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, drawing loud reactions from both sets of supporters.
With the match pushed into extra time, Senegal regrouped and asserted control. Gueye’s decisive effort finally broke the deadlock, silencing the home crowd and sealing victory for the West Africans.
The triumph marks Senegal’s second AFCON title, following their maiden success in 2021, and further cements their status as one of Africa’s dominant football forces. For Morocco, the defeat ends hopes of lifting the trophy on home soil after a tournament marked by strong performances but an agonising finish.
