Cruel denouement in Rabat: Brahim Díaz misses the title-winning penalty, Senegal crowned champions

The denouement of this marathon match was drawn in the 94th minute of play thanks to a goal by Pape Gueye. Taking advantage of a counterattack orchestrated by Idrissa Gueye, the midfielder unleashed a powerful left-footed shot that nestled in the top corner of Yassine Bounou. This goal rewarded the tactical realism of the Senegalese, who displayed 52% ball possession and better offensive efficiency with five shots on target out of ten attempts, despite the constant pressure exerted by Walid Regragui’s players.

The dramatic turning point of the match occurred in the final moments of regulation time, when the referee awarded a penalty to Morocco after a video review for a foul by El Hadji Malick Diouf. In the 90+24th minute, following exceptionally long stoppage time, Brahim Díaz saw his attempt repelled by Edouard Mendy. The Senegalese goalkeeper, a true bulwark throughout the evening, kept his team afloat by deflecting this shot on target in the middle of the goal, imposing the holding of extra time when the title seemed within reach of the Atlas Lions.

The end of the confrontation was marked by a great expenditure of energy from the Moroccans in an attempt to equalize, notably by Nayef Aguerd whose header hit the crossbar in the 108th minute. Despite the attacks of Youssef En-Nesyri and Ilias Akhomach, the Senegalese defense resisted the fifteen Moroccan attempts in a tense atmosphere marked by numerous cautions. The Moroccan selection also suffered from the injury exits of Noussair Mazraoui, Adam Masina and Hamza Igamane, the latter leaving his team with a numerical inferiority at the end of the match. This lack of efficiency seals the failure of Morocco at home, while Senegal wins a new continental trophy thanks to its rigor and the brilliance of its last rampart.