Pape Gueye Fires Senegal to AFCON Glory Amid Rabat Drama and Late Penalty Chaos

Key Takeaways:

• Senegal captured their second Africa Cup of Nations title with a 1:0 victory over Morocco in Rabat
• Pape Gueye scored the decisive goal in the 94th minute, early in extra time
• The match ended in dramatic fashion after Morocco missed a stoppage-time penalty following a prolonged on-field delay

Intense Final Decided in Extra Time

Senegal emerged victorious over Morocco with a 1:0 win in the Africa Cup of Nations final held in Rabat, earning their second continental crown after their triumph in 2021. The contest was a tightly balanced encounter, settled by Pape Gueye’s strike in the 94th minute, at the outset of extra time.

The match witnessed significant drama, particularly in the dying moments of regular play. With both sides fashioning two clear opportunities apiece, it was an evening marked by high tension, controversy, and remarkable scenes both on and off the pitch.

Senegal. Champions of Africa. 🇸🇳🏆#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/jd4W2DyNQx

— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 18, 2026

Match Analysis: Key Incidents and Missed Opportunities

The first notable chance arrived inside five minutes, as Sadio Mane beat Achraf Hakimi down the flank and earned a corner. The resulting delivery was chested down at the far post by Pape Gueye, but his attempt was instinctively denied by goalkeeper Yassine Bono. Morocco responded through Ismael Saibari, who broke into the penalty area but fired wide.

Both teams adopted a more cautious approach as the first half progressed, trading spells of possession without carving out significant openings. Senegal maintained the initiative, while Morocco looked to break quickly on the counter.

Midway through the first half, Lamine Camara received the match’s first booking for a rough challenge on Neil El Aynaoui. Moments later, Nicolas Jackson’s pass released Iliman Ndiaye, but Bono was quick to thwart the Everton winger’s one-on-one attempt. Morocco responded almost instantly, with Nayef Aguerd narrowly missing from Ez Abde’s right-wing cross.

Camara soon produced a crucial saving tackle to deny Saibari just on the edge of the Senegal area. In added time before the interval, Mane surged into the box only to be blocked by a resolute Moroccan defence.

Second Half: High-Tempo Exchanges and Anxious Moments

Morocco resumed the second half energetically, winning a pair of corners and a free kick within the opening five minutes, though none truly tested Edouard Mendy. The Senegalese side weathered this initial pressure and started to dictate proceedings once more.

Morocco threatened through Ayoub El Kaabi in the 58th minute, as Bilal El Khannous supplied a pass that set him free, but his effort trickled wide. El Kaabi soon spurned another chance minutes later, slicing an effort that deflected to Ez Abde, who failed to convert from close range. In the 70th minute, Neil El Aynaoui suffered a severe injury after colliding heavily during a set piece.

The first substitutions came from Senegal in the 77th minute, with Morocco following suit shortly after. The closing minutes of regular time saw both sides create dangerous moments, most notably Pape Gueye testing Bono, who proved reliable yet again.

Senegal thought they had found the winner in time added on when Abdoulaye Seck’s header struck the post before being bundled over the line by a teammate, but the referee disallowed it for a foul committed by Seck on Hakimi during the aerial challenge.

The Late Penalty Controversy: VAR Drama and Missed Chance

As added time ran down, Morocco earned a corner. Following the cross, Malick Diouf was penalised, following a VAR review, for pulling Brahim Diaz’s shirt in the area – a decision that instigated chaos on the pitch. Senegal coach Pape Thiaw led his side off the field, while captain Sadio Mane intervened to convince teammates to return. The delay extended for more than 20 minutes before play could resume.

Eventually, Brahim Diaz stepped up but saw his spot kick poorly struck and easily saved by Edouard Mendy, concluding a lengthy, contentious sequence as the referee blew to end regular time.

Extra Time: Gueye Seals Historic Victory

Senegal capitalised on momentum after the missed penalty, seizing the lead just five minutes into extra time. A well-worked move through the middle released Pape Gueye, whose decisive run and sharp finish proved unstoppable for Bono.

Morocco responded with increased urgency and made swift tactical changes. As rain began to fall over the Rabat stadium, the atmosphere intensified. Substitute Youssef En-Nesyri almost drew Morocco level in the 104th minute, rising to head narrowly wide.

At the outset of the second extra period, Nayef Aguerd headed against the crossbar from a Moroccan corner, with Oussama Targhalline then drawing a save from Mendy with a free kick. Bono kept Moroccan hopes alive with two vital saves – first denying Cherif Ndiaye one-on-one, then recovering quickly to block the follow-up.

The closing stages saw Senegal maintain their composure, holding on for a dramatic 1:0 victory that delivered their second ever Africa Cup of Nations title.