The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final was by far one of the craziest football matches I have ever seen. It is up there with the 2022 World Cup final, but, unfortunately, for all the wrong reasons.
The First 90 Minutes Of The Cup Final
It was a cagey affair with few chances for either side in the first 90 minutes. Both Morocco and Senegal approached the game cautiously, neither wanting to risk giving up the lead.
Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou produced fine saves to deny Pape Gueye from a close-range header and Iliman Ndiaye from a one-on-one opportunity.
Morocco’s best chance of the 90 fell to Ayoub El Kaabi. Bilal El Khannouss whipped in a stellar low cross, only for the striker to direct it wide of the target.
The Most Dramatic Stoppage Time Ever – Senegal’s Goal is Disallowed
With eight minutes of stoppage time added, Senegal thought they had snatched a late winner in the 90+2nd minute, only for the goal to be controversially ruled out. A corner was delivered to the far post, where Senegalese defender Abdoulaye Seck shoved Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi in the chest to create space before directing a header towards goal. The effort cannoned off the post and fell kindly to Ismaïla Sarr, who nodded in from close range.
However, the whistle was blown far too quickly for the supposed ‘foul’ on Hakimi. Since the whistle was blown just before the ball crossed the line, the decision was rendered immune to VAR review. Due to this, no goal check was possible.
The force in the push seemed minimal. It is a contact sport after all, and Hakimi went to ground far too easily.
Morocco is Awarded a Late Penalty – Chaos Ensues
Moments later, in the 90+5th minute, Real Madrid and Morocco forward Brahim Diaz went down inside the penalty area after feeling a fairly light pull on his shoulder and neck from El Hadji Malick Diouf. Following a VAR review – during which the referee was surrounded by arguing players and officials – the referee pointed to the spot.
Understandably, the Senegalese were furious. Senegal coach Pape Thiaw ordered his players to leave the pitch in protest at the decision. Several players walked down the tunnel. Ibrahim Mbaye even took to social media to vent his frustration to a friend while the match was still ongoing.
The Senegalese fans reacted violently. They attempted to force their way onto the pitch, throwing metal chairs and attacking the security personnel.
Former Liverpool star Sadio Mane had to beckon his teammates to return to the pitch after ten minutes for the game to be resumed.
The Penalty To Win The Cup
In the 90+22nd minute (yes, you read that correctly), Diaz stepped up to the penalty spot. There he was met by Senegalese goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, who was intent on getting into his head. The referee gave Mendy a warning for this, as the goalkeeper was already on a yellow card after an altercation with Anass Salah-Eddine.
After almost a minute of waiting to take the penalty, with Diaz’s eyes focused on the ball, the penalty had to be reset due to Moroccan fans pointing lasers at Mendy’s face.
Finally, at minute 90+24, after much drama, the penalty was taken.
Yet again, Mendy did his best to get into the head of Brahim Diaz. He lingered over the penalty spot for several seconds before taking a full 15 seconds to shuffle backwards toward his goal line, arms raised high, drawing out the moment with painstaking slowness. Such behaviour warranted a second yellow card. However, I believe that the referee wanted to avoid any further controversy at this point.
Brahim Diaz stepped up to take the penalty to win the cup for tournament hosts, Morocco. A country that hadn’t won a trophy for 50 years. One kick to make himself a legend, to achieve glory for his nation, and finish the competition as top goalscorer.
Once again, his eyes were laser-focused on the ball. The referee’s whistle sounded. Diaz began his run-up and struck… a Panenka. Mendy didn’t move an inch, calmly catching the forward’s timid effort and extinguishing Morocco’s hopes in an instant.
That’s the price you pay when going for a chipped penalty: if the keeper dives, you look cool. If not, you look like a fool. And tragically for Diaz and Morocco, it was the latter.
So, after all this drama, there were still another 30 minutes to play.
Extra Time
Four minutes into the start of extra time, Pape Gueye stormed forward and rifled an absolute screamer into the top corner. He took his shot from 20 yards out. The ball crashed into the net, going in off the bar, to give Senegal the lead. A goal truly good enough to win any game.
In the 107th minute, Moroccan defender Nayef Aguerd leapt up to attack a corner. He sent a powerful header goalwards, but was denied by the crossbar.
Cherif Ndiaye soon missed what appeared to be an open goal for Senegal. This goal would have sealed the win for the West Africans. Bounou got a fingertip to the ball just before the forward could get his shot off, doing just enough to put him off.
As the final whistle blew, it was Pape Gueye who made all the difference, propelling Senegal to their second-ever Africa Cup of Nations title, following their maiden triumph in 2021.
The Shameful Antics of the Fans and Players Pitchside
Throughout the match, Moroccan ball boys were repeatedly seen stealing the towel from Senegal goalkeeper Mendy, which he used to dry his gloves in the torrential rain. A Moroccan official even tried to help them. Senegal’s substitute goalkeeper, Yehvann Diouf, stepped in as the towel’s guardian, only to be tackled to the ground and dragged along the side of the pitch by three ball boys.
Even Moroccan player Ismaïla Saibari attempted to prevent Diouf from returning the towel to Mendy. Later, Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi was filmed tossing one of the towels over an advertising board to his home fans, prompting Diouf to sprint over to retrieve it for his teammate.
Such petty, chaotic, and unsporting behaviour would be considered unacceptable even at Sunday League level.
My Verdict on The Cup Final
As entertaining as it was to watch live, the final was a shambolic affair. The match painted African football in a terrible light and validated the criticism and ridicule it has received over the years. Never before has a manager ordered his side to leave the pitch in protest during a Euros final, World Cup Final, or Champions League final.
So, why did this happen during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final?
It was extremely unprofessional. This decision, alongside the violence in the stadium, lasers being pointed onto the players’ faces, and the antics of the Moroccan ball boys, turned what should have been a prestigious event into a farce.
What a great article to read!