Senegal claimed their second TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations crown in dramatic fashion, overcoming hosts Morocco 1–0 after extra time in a pulsating final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
The decisive blow arrived just three minutes into extra time when Pape Gueye produced a moment of brilliance. Collecting the ball on the edge of the area, the midfielder unleashed a fierce left-footed strike that flew past Yassine Bounou, sparking wild celebrations among the Senegalese players and bench while stunning the home supporters.
Morocco had been on the verge of victory at the end of normal time. A late penalty, awarded after a VAR intervention, presented the Atlas Lions with a golden opportunity to settle the contest. However, Edward Mendy stood tall, denying Brahim Diaz from the spot and forcing the final into extra time.
From the outset, the encounter was evenly contested. Morocco were driven by the dream of ending a 50-year wait for continental success, while Senegal were determined to add to the title they won in 2021.
The Teranga Lions made the sharper start, dictating the rhythm and fashioning the clearer chances in the opening half. Bounou was quickly called into action, first blocking Gueye’s header at the back post before producing a superb one-on-one save to frustrate Iliman Ndiaye.
Morocco’s best moment before the interval came late in the half when Abdessamad Ezzalzouli delivered a dangerous cross that Nayef Aguerd narrowly failed to meet, the ball skimming across the goalmouth.
After the restart, the hosts raised their intensity. Ayoub El Kaabi found himself through on goal after a perfectly weighted pass from Bilal El Khannouss, but his effort drifted off target as Senegal’s defence scrambled back.
Despite sustained pressure and vocal home support, Morocco struggled to find the final touch. Senegal, meanwhile, remained a constant threat on the break and nearly stole the match in the dying minutes of regulation time when substitute Ibrahim Mbaye forced another acrobatic save from Bounou with a curling effort.
With the deadlock unbroken, extra time followed — and Senegal wasted no time. A quick turnover in midfield saw Sadio Mané cleverly redirect the ball to Idrissa Gana Gueye, who slipped Pape Gueye into space. The midfielder powered forward before firing an unstoppable shot into the net.
Morocco threw everything forward in search of an equaliser. Diaz came close to atoning for his penalty miss, only to be denied again by Mendy, while Youssef En-Nesyri’s diving header flashed agonisingly wide.
Senegal nearly added a second late on, but Bounou produced yet another save to deny Pape Cherif Ndiaye, who also failed to convert the rebound.
In the end, Senegal’s composure, discipline, and defensive resolve proved decisive. The Teranga Lions saw out the remaining minutes with authority, securing a memorable victory and reaffirming their status among Africa’s footballing elite with a second AFCON triumph.
