• Senegal defeated Morocco 1-0 in extra time to win AFCON 2025.
• The match was marred by controversy over a late penalty award to Morocco.
• Senegal players initially walked off the pitch in protest before returning to continue the game.
• Pape Gueye scored the winning goal, marking Senegal's second title in three editions.
• The final ended amid chaotic scenes, including fan unrest and delays.

Senegal won the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 by defeating Morocco 1-0 in a tense final that extended into extra time. The match witnessed dramatic scenes, particularly a protest by Senegal players who stormed off the pitch after a controversial penalty was awarded against them. This penalty was given following a VAR review in the 95th minute for a foul by El Hadji Malick Diouf on Brahim Diaz, which led to extended stoppage and an eventual tense resolution when Senegal's Sadio Mane convinced the players to return to the field, despite their frustrations, according to Reuters and BBC.

Morocco’s Diaz had the chance to win the match for his team with a late penalty, but his weak Panenka-style effort was comfortably saved by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, leading into extra time. Following a lengthy delay in taking the penalty, Diaz's execution was heavily criticized, and many feel it shifted momentum back toward Senegal, as stated in reports from Africanews and Le Monde.

In a surprising turn of events, Pape Gueye scored the decisive goal in the fourth minute of extra time, securing Senegal's victory. His goal marked the first in an AFCON final for Senegal after they had failed to net in previous appearances. Following Gueye’s strike, the atmosphere shifted dramatically as many Moroccan fans left the stadium in disappointment, with sentiments of frustration echoed in statements from Morocco coach Walid Regragui, who lamented the situation, citing the oversight in the final decision-making, according to Reuters and AA.

The chaotic scenes and long delays reflected poorly on the tournament's image, raising concerns among officials about the conduct displayed during the final. Both team actions and fan behavior are likely to be scrutinized in forthcoming reports, signaling a need for significant reflection on the event's management as stated in various reports, including those from Al Jazeera and Le Monde.