Unforgettable Key Moments in the Dramatic AFCON 2025 Final

One of the most unforgettable key moments in the dramatic AFCON 2025 final — where Senegal clinched a historic 1-0 victory over hosts Morocco after extra time — was the chaotic penalty incident deep in stoppage time that nearly derailed the entire match.

In the dying seconds of normal time (around the 98th minute), referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a penalty following a VAR review for a slight pull by Senegal’s El Hadji Malick Diouf on Brahim Díaz during a corner.

The decision ignited fury among the Teranga Lions, who felt it was the latest in a series of questionable calls.

Senegal’s players, led by coach Pape Thiaw, stormed off the pitch in protest, heading toward the tunnel amid tense scenes of confusion, crowd unrest, and heated exchanges on the sidelines. The stadium in Rabat fell into stunned silence as the game teetered on the brink of farce.

The turning point came thanks to the leadership of talisman Sadio Mané. Amid the chaos, Mané — calm and composed — urged his teammates to return to the field, rallying them with words of resolve: “We are going to play like real men…” His intervention ensured the match continued.

After a lengthy delay, Brahim Díaz stepped up for the penalty — the chance to win it for Morocco on home soil in the final kick of the 90 minutes. In a moment of high drama, he opted for an audacious Panenka chip down the middle… but Édouard Mendy stood tall, catching it comfortably to keep the scores level and send the game into extra time!

This sequence — the controversial award, the unprecedented walk-off, Mané’s leadership, and Mendy’s heroic save — encapsulated the raw emotion and resilience that defined the final.

Just four minutes into extra time, Pape Gueye would deliver the decisive blow with a thunderous strike.

This wild stoppage-time saga remains one of the defining episodes in AFCON history — a testament to football’s unpredictability and drama on the biggest stage.