Senegal Defeat Hosts Morocco to Win 2025 AFCON Final

S Senegal were crowned champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after edging hosts Morocco 1–0 after extra time in a dramatic and controversial final played on Sunday night at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.

The pulsating encounter was marked by prolonged stoppages, heated protests, and repeated VAR interventions, culminating in one of the most tense AFCON finals in recent history.

Regulation time ended goalless, but not without controversy. Deep into stoppage time, the referee awarded Morocco a penalty following a VAR review, a decision that sparked furious protests from Senegal players.

The confrontation led to several minutes of stoppage as players surrounded the referee, with both teams briefly walking off the pitch before order was restored through the intervention of match officials and security personnel.

Morocco had a golden chance to win the match late on, but Brahim Díaz missed the penalty after Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy brilliantly saved his attempted Panenka, intensifying the charged atmosphere inside the stadium.

With tensions still high, the match moved into extra time, where Senegal finally broke the deadlock in the 94th minute. Pape Gueye unleashed a powerful long-range strike that flew into the top corner, giving the West Africans a decisive lead.

Morocco pressed hard for an equaliser, hitting the crossbar and forcing several late saves, but Senegal’s defence held firm to see out the match.

The final stretched well beyond its scheduled duration due to repeated stoppages caused by protests, referee consultations, and crowd unrest.

Senegal’s victory sealed their AFCON triumph in front of a packed Moroccan crowd, capping a final that will be remembered as one of the most dramatic and controversial in the tournament’s history.