There was a threat of abandonment
Africa Cup of Nations final LIVE: Senegal vs. Morocco
Senegal was crowned African champion on Sunday evening with a 1-0 victory over host Morocco in extra time! However, the scandalous final in Rabat was marked by controversial referee decisions, minutes of protests, wild turmoil, and penalty shootout madness. Yes, there was even a threat of the game being abandoned...
Senegal's national team has won the Africa Cup of Nations for the second time. In a crazy final in Rabat, the "Lions of Teranga" defeated host Morocco 1-0 in extra time. The team led by former Salzburg player Sadio Mané achieved its first triumph in the continental competition in 2022. However, Pape Gueye's decisive goal was preceded by a scandal, as the Senegalese team had already left the field during extra time.
Chaotic extra time
The final phase of the final in front of almost 70,000 people in the stadium was truly eventful. In the sixth minute of extra time, Real Madrid player Brahim Diaz went down after a foul by Senegal's El Hadji Malick Diouf during a corner kick scramble in the five-meter area. Referee Jean-Jacques Ndala reviewed the scene on the screen after VAR intervention and awarded a penalty. Then, almost unprecedented chaos ensued: the Senegalese, feeling unfairly treated, left the pitch and apparently wanted to force a stoppage.
Chaotic scenes in stoppage time:
Happy ending thanks to Gueye's powerful shot
Heated discussions between the two coaches and the officials ensued, and there were also clashes between angry fans and security forces. Last but not least, Mané persuaded his teammates to continue the match. After a ten-minute interruption and a flurry of yellow cards, the game did indeed resume – with the next twist: Diaz chipped the penalty in Panenka style straight into the arms of Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy. In the 94th minute, Villarreal pro Gueye scored with a powerful shot from the edge of the penalty area to give his team a 1-0 lead, which held until the end of extra time, even though Morocco tried everything. However, a rematch after this turbulent final seems inevitable.
Here is the penalty scene from the game:
The Senegalese had their first chance after five minutes in what was a largely even game. Morocco's goalkeeper Bono saved a header from Gueye at the near post. In the 38th minute, Bono was on hand again, preventing a goal from Iliman Ndiaye with a foot save. Ayoub El Kaabi missed the Moroccan team's best chance of the game so far in the 58th minute when he shot wide from close range. The game became more turbulent and heated. Neil El Aynaoui suffered a head injury but continued to play with a thick bandage. At the start of stoppage time, Bono was beaten for the first time, but Senegal's goal was disallowed due to a striker's foul.
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