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Play was stopped for more than 20 minutes before Diaz missed a penalty at the end of normal time
Senegal were crowned Africa Cup of Nations champions by beating Morocco thanks to Pape Gueye’s winner in a chaotic final which was overshadowed by protests in the closing stages of normal time.
The Senegalese players and manager Pape Thiaw walked off the pitch after Morocco were controversially awarded a penalty moments after being denied a goal by the referee, leading the game to be halted for more than 20 minutes in what was an ugly conclusion to the tournament.
Brahim Diaz then missed the resulting penalty for Morocco when play finally resumed as the drama continued, with Gueye’s stunner then extraordinarily winning the game for Senegal in extra-time.
Morocco hit the woodwork in extra-time before Senegal missed the chance to seal the victory by missing an open goal from point-blank range in an extraordinary final.
AFCON final ends in CHAOS
Ismaila Saee thought he had headed the winner at the death but the referee had blown his whistle for a foul by Idrissa Gueye as he guided a header onto the post.
A lengthy check in the dying seconds ensued after El Hadji Malick Diouf appear to drag Diaz down, which was eventually given as normal time in the AFCON final concluded in the most dramatic – and controversial – of circumstances.
The decision saw emotions boil over with Senegal taking their players off the pitch in protest and delaying the game more than 20 minutes in some pretty disgraceful scenes.
When the ensuing melee eventually subsided, Diaz ensured the drama would continue when he fired his chipped penalty straight at Edouard Mendy and miss the chance to win his country the AFCON.
The incredible storyline continued early into extra-time when Senegal, the team who had been staring down the barrel of defeat minutes earlier, took the lead when Gueye drove forward and unleashed a stunner into the top corner.
Nayef Aguerd then hit the woodwork with a header as Acraf Hakimi fired a shot straight at Mendy before Senegal missed the biggest of chances to get both hands on the trophy with an extraordinary miss.
Cherif Ndiaye saw his shot saved by Bounou but only into the path of the Senegal man, but Ndiaye somehow missed with an open goal which potentially had a slight touch off the Morocco keeper before he struck it.
Senegal were just minutes away from their second AFCOn triumph in the space of five years and they managed to hold out for an extraordinary win – especially given the events that panned out at the end of normal time.
Senegal vs Morocco – normal time as it happened
A raucous atmosphere cheered the tournament hosts on but it was Senegal threatened who early when a corner from Sadio Mane was met by Pape Gueye, forcing a sharp save from Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
The Moroccan goalkeeper was called into action again later in the half when a defence-splitting pass released Iliman Ndiaye, whose low shot was diverted wide
Morocco’s best moments came through sustained pressure and quick combinations, with Abdessamad Ezzalzouli and Ismael Saibari probing, though efforts from range failed to seriously test the goalkeeper.
Aside from a loose pass by Idrissa Gueye that briefly opened the door for Morocco, clear chances had been limited for the Atlas Lions despite it being a relatively open first half.
Morocco slowly grew into the game and got their best opportunity to take the lead when Ayoub El Kaabi couldn’t keep his finish on target with a first-time shot after being fed in from the right.
El Kaabi then saw another couple of close-range efforts well blocked before Abde Ezzalzouli sent a a follow-up shot well wide.
The scores remained level as we reached the final 10 minutes with the game there for either side to be won. Brahim Diaz saw a curling shot go wide before Pape Gueye dragged a volley from the edge of the box off target.
Bounou then had to be alert to stop a Ibrahim Mbaye, then up the other end Youssef En-Nesyri flashed a shot wide from a tight angle.
