In a dramatic football night that will long be remembered, Senegal were crowned champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, shattering the hopes of the vast Moroccan crowd that filled the stands of the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. This triumph came after a marathon, breathtaking match that ended with the "Lions of Teranga" securing a victory with a decisive goal in extra time, thus confirming Senegal's continental dominance in recent years.
Details of the dramatic night and the refereeing controversy
The match was more than just a traditional final; it witnessed controversial events that nearly derailed the game. The tension reached its peak in the 93rd minute when the referee disallowed a Senegal goal for a foul on Achraf Hakimi, a decision that ignited the match. Just before the final whistle, VAR intervened, awarding Morocco a crucial penalty after El Hadji Malick Diouf fouled Brahim Diaz.
This decision caused a huge wave of anger in the Senegalese national team, leading to the players withdrawing from the field in a scene rarely seen in final matches, before captain Sadio Mane intervened with his usual wisdom to convince his teammates to return and complete the match, thus avoiding an organizational disaster in the final.
Mendy makes history, Diaz squanders the dream
The crowd held its breath when Brahim Diaz stepped up to take the penalty that would have secured the title for Morocco, but Diaz opted for a Panenka-style shot. Al-Ahli Saudi goalkeeper Edouard Mendy was equal to the task, brilliantly reading the ball and making the save, keeping his country's hopes alive and forcing the match into extra time.
The knockout blow and the consolidation of the Moroccan complex
In the first period of extra time, specifically in the 94th minute, Pape Gueye delivered the knockout blow to the home side with a rocket shot that nestled into the net past goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. This goal not only secured the title for Senegal but also deepened the wounds of Moroccan football, which continues its quest for a second continental title, a trophy that has eluded them since 1976.
Senegalese dominance and persistent Moroccan resentment
This crowning achievement confirms the golden era of Senegalese football, as it added a second star to its jersey after the 2021 title it won against Egypt, thus consolidating Senegal's position as a superpower in the African continent thanks to a golden generation led by Mane, Mendy and Koulibaly.
On the other hand, despite the historic achievement in the 2022 World Cup of reaching the semi-finals, the “curse” of the African Cup of Nations continues to haunt the Atlas Lions, as the absence from the continental podium continues for about half a century, amid great regret for the fans who had hoped to celebrate the title on their home ground and among their fans.
