What's happened
Senegal claimed their second AFCON title after a tense final against Morocco, ending 1-0 after extra time. Pape Gueye scored the decisive goal in the 94th minute, following a missed penalty by Morocco's Brahim Diaz. Chaos erupted at the end, with scenes of crowd disorder and a controversial penalty decision.
What's behind the headline?
The final's outcome underscores the unpredictable nature of knockout football, especially in high-stakes tournaments like AFCON. Senegal's victory, driven by a late goal from Pape Gueye, highlights their resilience and tactical discipline. The controversial penalty awarded to Morocco, which Brahim Diaz failed to convert, reveals ongoing issues with refereeing and crowd control in African football. The scenes of disorder, including objects thrown and fans attempting to enter the pitch, threaten the tournament's reputation and call for investigations into organizational shortcomings. The match also exemplifies how psychological factors, such as delays and crowd pressure, can influence player performance—Diaz's missed penalty being a case in point. Moving forward, both teams will focus on their upcoming World Cup campaigns, with Senegal aiming to leverage their recent success and Morocco seeking to recover from the turbulent final. The tournament's conclusion leaves a legacy of passionate support, organizational scrutiny, and the enduring unpredictability of African football at its best and worst.
What the papers say
The coverage from The New Arab, France 24, and All Africa presents a consistent narrative of the match's key moments, emphasizing the late drama, crowd disorder, and the significance of Senegal's victory. The New Arab highlights the chaos and the controversial penalty, while France 24 provides detailed insights into the crowd scenes and the psychological impact on players. All Africa offers a broader context, including Senegal's previous AFCON win in 2021 and the tournament's overall tense atmosphere. Contrasting opinions are minimal, but some sources focus more on the disorder's impact on the tournament's reputation, whereas others emphasize the resilience and achievement of Senegal's team. Overall, the reporting underscores the importance of fair officiating and organizational preparedness in future editions.
How we got here
Morocco hosted the 2025 AFCON, aiming for their first title in over 50 years. Senegal sought to reclaim the trophy they first won in 2021. The tournament featured tense matches with strong defensive play, culminating in a final marked by late drama and controversy. The match was influenced by VAR decisions and crowd unrest, reflecting the high stakes and passionate support from both sides.
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How Did Senegal Win the AFCON Final?
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final was a tense and dramatic match, with Senegal claiming their second title after a hard-fought victory over Morocco. Fans and analysts are curious about how Senegal managed to secure the win, especially in such a chaotic atmosphere. Below, we explore the key moments, reactions, and what made this final so memorable.
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