• Senegal triumphed over Morocco 1-0 after extra time to win AFCON 2025.
• Pape Gueye scored the decisive goal, while Morocco missed a crucial penalty.
• The match was marred by controversies, including a protest by Senegal over a penalty decision.

Senegal clinched the Africa Cup of Nations title for the second consecutive time by defeating hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time in a tumultuous final marked by chaotic scenes. The dramatic encounter took place at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, where tensions escalated primarily due to a contentious penalty awarded against Senegal during stoppage time. This decision led to protests from the Senegalese team, exemplified by their walk-off from the field, before they ultimately returned to play and secured victory with a late goal from Pape Gueye, who scored in the 94th minute of extra time, according to Reuters, Al Jazeera, Le Monde, and AA.

The match unfolded with both teams showcasing their tactical strengths, leading to a goalless draw in regular time. The game's pivotal moment came in the dying minutes when a penalty was awarded to Morocco after a VAR check deemed Senegal left-back Malick Diouf guilty of a foul on Brahim Diaz. The awarding of this penalty provoked vehement protests from Senegal, resulting in a lengthy stoppage. Eventually, Moroccan star Diaz attempted a "Panenka" style penalty; however, his effort was easily saved by Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, thus propelling the game into extra time, as detailed by Reuters and Al Jazeera.

In extra time, Senegal seized the initiative, navigating the tense atmosphere to secure a win. Pape Gueye's goal not only marked a historic moment for the player but also noted that it was the first time Senegal scored in an AFCON final, having previously failed to do so in three prior attempts. Following the triumph, Senegal coach Pape Bouna Thiaw expressed satisfaction with the team's resilience following the earlier turmoil, stating that they remained focused to capitalize on the opportunity that arose after the penalty miss, according to Le Monde and AA.

The fallout from the match will likely lead to inquiries into the conduct of players and fans amidst the controversies, as comments from Morocco's coach highlighted concerns about how the events reflected on African football. "The image we gave... was rather shameful," he remarked on the chaotic scenes that occurred following the penalty award, indicating that while disappointment for Morocco was rife, Senegal’s victory added another layer of complexity to the historical rivalry between the teams, as noted by Al Jazeera and AA.