⏱ 90+2’ – Senegal score, but the goal is disallowed
⏱ 90+7’ – Morocco are awarded a penalty by VAR
⏱ 90+12’ – Senegal players leave the pitch in protest
⏱ 90+21’ – Senegal players return to the pitch
⏱ 90+24’ – Brahim Diaz attempts a Panenka, which is saved
⏱ 94’ (Extra-time) – Papa Gueye gets Senegal the lead
⏱ 120+3’ (Extra-time) – Senegal are crowned champions on Moroccan soil
92′: Senegal score a late winner but it is chalked off for a foul in the buildup, no VAR check ❌
98′: Morocco receive a penalty after VAR intervenes after contact in the box 👀
A near 15 minute delay occurs after Senegal exits the pitch and refuses to play on in protest of the… pic.twitter.com/P2Ucut59v7
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) January 18, 2026
The Africa Cup of Nations final descended into chaos after Senegal walked off the pitch before the final whistle was blown.
Late into stoppage-time, Morocco were awarded a controversial penalty after Senegal defender El Hadi Malick Diouf was adjudged to have fouled Brahim Diaz in the penalty area, following a VAR check.
Senegal’s fury was compounded by the fact that referee Jean-Jacques Ndala Ngambo had ruled out what Senegal thought was their winner minutes before in another contentious call.
After Morocco’s penalty was awarded, Senegal manager Pape Thiaw told his team to leave the pitch and go back to the dressing room in protest.
Sadio Mane, the former Liverpool forward, was the only Senegal player to remain on the pitch and the game was delayed for around 16 minutes before Brahim Diaz took the penalty.
The Real Madrid forward chipped his spot-kick straight at goalkeeper Edouard Mendy to send the tie to extra-time.
I think Sadio Mané was spoken to about a mutual decision for Brahim Díaz to intentionally miss the penalty at the AFCON final between Morocco and Senegal. He agreed, called Mendy and the other players off the pitch—and Brahim Díaz even played a Panenka. It’s clear. https://t.co/CJiIA3TiY9 pic.twitter.com/zmDZeUXjHg
— Harrismadeit 🇨🇦🇬🇭 (@1harrismadeit) January 18, 2026
90+4| ❌𝐍𝐎 𝐆𝐎𝐀𝐋
Senegal strikes but it won’t count; foul in the buildup!#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 #UBCAFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/L3f8xkjO0c
— UBC UGANDA (@ubctvuganda) January 18, 2026
How on earth is it possible that Senegal players don’t celebrate at all when Mendy save the penalty on Brahim Diaz?!
I say again: in my opinion it was missed on purpose#AFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/xlx35baPgg
— Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) January 18, 2026
90+7 | 𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐀𝐋𝐓𝐘 🇲🇦
— UBC UGANDA (@ubctvuganda) January 18, 2026
VAR confirms. 🥅 Penalty for Morocco!#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 #UBCAFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/3nKfsX81Dx
Sadio Mane asking his Senegalese teammates to come back to the pitch against Morocco in Rabat
— GoldMyneTV (@GoldmyneTV) January 19, 2026
This will be the video of this Afcon.
It will be watched by many generations.
The exceptional leadership of one man saved African football. pic.twitter.com/C34AJyyNFO