The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final descended into chaos after Morocco were awarded a penalty following a VAR review deep into extra time.
Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala pointed to the spot in the 98th minute for a foul on El Hadji Malick Diouf’s Brahim Diaz after a corner kick.
Ndala initially did not award a penalty – much to the disgust of Real Madrid striker Diaz – but was sent to the pitch monitor and then convinced to reconsider his decision. The score at this point was 0-0.
Senegalese players walk off the field during AFCON 2025 final
Senegal’s players and coaching staff were furious at the VAR-influenced decision, which came just five minutes after Senegal had a goal disallowed for a soft foul by Abdoulaye Seck on Achraf Hakimi at the other end.
Head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw ordered his players off the field, with the majority following him through the tunnel, although Sadio Mane remained seated and eventually convinced his teammates to continue.
After an interruption of more than ten minutes, the entire Senegalese team eventually returned to the field and the game could be resumed.
Much more drama was to follow.
Diaz took the penalty in the 14th minute of extra time and cockily attempted to clinch Morocco’s first AFCON title since 1976 with a missed Panenka effort through the middle.
However, his tame shot was neatly saved by Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, leaving the score at 0-0 and sending the final into extra time. Senegal would win the match 1-0 in extra time.
Watch: Brahim Diaz’s penalty saved by Edouard Mendy
Penalty taken by Brahim Diaz after a long delay, but Edouard Mendy saved the ball. Extra time on the road and the tension is insane, the Senegal fans are furious. #PitchsideAFCON2025 #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/5NBms1Gyek
— #Pitchside (@PetaTabu) January 18, 2026
The shot was so bad that the commentary team moved on E4 even speculated whether Diaz had missed the penalty on purpose.
However, his disturbed reaction – coupled with the fact that he had kissed the ball before taking the kick – put pressure on such a conspiracy theory, although journalist Tancredi Palmeri claimed on social media that he believed Diaz had deliberately missed the penalty.
Speaking of conspiracy theories, there will of course be many who claim that Morocco received favorable treatment from the officials during their home tournament. But the reality is that both key decisions that came in Sunday’s final against Senegal were entirely justified, if perhaps harsh.
Senegal’s decision to walk off the field did not look good and will unfortunately probably be the most memorable storyline of AFCON 2025.
In contrast, their reaction to Diaz’s somber quip was great. Senegal started the extra time excellently and took a 1-0 lead thanks to a brilliant goal from Pape Gueye.
That goal came just four minutes into extra time and Diaz was substituted shortly afterwards.
Diaz would later be confirmed as the AFCON 2025 Golden Boot winner, but it is not an achievement he is likely to celebrate too heavily under the circumstances.
Senegal should have made it 2-0 in the final stages of extra time, but Cherif Ndiaye missed an open goal from seven meters.
#Senegalese #players #leave #field #VAR #controversy #AFCON #final