AFCON final descends into chaos as Senegal players walk off after controversial penalty
Chaos ensued at the Africa Cup of Nations final, as Senegal's manager ordered his players to leave the pitch after hosts Morocco were awarded a controversial penalty deep into stoppage time
by Nathan Ridley · The MirrorSenegal have won the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations after a hugely controversial final against hosts Morocco. Pape Gueye's sensational goal in extra-time proved to be the difference, but the real story was a 17-minute delay late on because of something which few have ever seen in professional football.
The final descended into chaos after Senegal's players WALKED OFF the pitch in protest after the hosts were awarded a dubious stoppage-time penalty. Morocco's Brahim Diaz was adjudged to have been fouled by West Ham star El Hadji Malick Diouf, with referee Jean-Jacques Ndala being summoned to VAR to award a spot kick.
Senegal were already furious after having a potential winning goal ruled out earlier in the eight minutes of stoppage time, with the scoreline 0-0. Abdoulaye Seck was deemed to have fouled Achraf Hakimi, much to Morocco's relief.
Then the real drama ensued. After the referee gave a penalty for a pull on Diaz, the Senegal players - apart from former Liverpool winger Sadio Mane - and their coaching staff ended up leaving the pitch and went back into the tunnel, with their manager, Pape Thiaw, having ordered them to come off. Meanwhile, some Senegal fans invaded the pitch as security rushed to block them.
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Desperate not to let the bizarre situation run any longer, Mane ran down the tunnel and successfully urged his team-mates to come back out. Following a delay totalling 17 minutes, the penalty was eventually taken by Diaz - but he missed in humiliating fashion to add yet another layer of drama.
The Real Madrid star tried a Panenka but ex-Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy saved it easily. Diaz, 26, was in tears as Ndala blew his whistle for extra-time.
Should Morocco have been given the penalty? Have your say in the comments section.
Senegal used their lifeline well, with Mane's back heel allowing Gueye to surge forward. The Villarreal midfielder produced an unstoppable strike, beating Yassine Bounou to make it 1-0.
It was the first goal that Morocco had conceded from open play in the entire tournament. Youssef En-Nesyri came close to equalising the first half of extra-time but his header went agonisingly wide.
Senegal had a chance to seal the victory through Cherif Ndiaye. The Samsunspor forward saw his initial attempt saved before Bounou got a touch on the rebound, too, as the ball somehow went wide from close range.
But Morocco couldn't find an equaliser and the most controversial of finals came to an end after three dramatic hours. As the rain poured in Rabat, Senegal soaked in their second AFCON title.
Perhaps the craziest final of all time.
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