Senegal defeated Morocco 1-0 in the final of the 2025 AFCON played at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Sunday, www.aclsports.com reports.
Villareal midfielder Pape Gueye, who had a brilliant game, scored the final’s only goal in stoppage time to lead the Teranga Lions to their second AFCON title, denying the hosts their first continental crown in 50 years.
Hosts Morocco, who defeated Nigeria in the semi-final game on Wednesday, were tipped as favourites for the title. Meanwhile, Senegal, eyeing just their second continental crown, started the game on the front foot and could have gone in front when Pape Gueye’s header from a corner-kick was brilliantly saved by Morocco’s number one goalkeeper, Yassine Bounou.
The Teranga Lions continued their quest for the final’s opening goal when Nicolas Jackson released Ilman Ndiaye on the right side. However, the Everton attacker’s attempt was saved by the trailing foot of goalkeeper Bounou.
At the other end, Adam Masina failed to connect with Abdessamad Ezzalzouli’s exciting cross. Morocco barely tested Edouard Mendy, the man in goal for Senegal. The two teams went into the break without a goal to report.
Upon the resumption of hostilities, Walid Regragui’s Morocco came out flying and could have taken the lead on multiple occasions. Firstly, striker Ayoub El Kaabi saw his effort blocked before shooting wide from Achraf Hakimi’s brilliant cross moments later. Midfielder Ismael Saibari then fired into the waiting arms of the goalkeeper midway through the half.
At the other end, Bounou came up with a fine stop just before the end of regulation time to deny substitute Ibrahim Mbaye from giving the Senegalese the lead. However, drama ensued deep into stoppage time when a penalty was awarded to Morocco by referee Jean-Jacques Ndala. After so much delay due to crowd trouble, Brahim Diaz’s spot-kick was easily gathered by Mendy, as the game went into extra-time.
Just minutes after the restart, Senegal took the lead stunningly. Pape Gueye, who almost lost his footing just inside the box, held off Morocco skipper Hakimi before firing in via the cross-bar for the game’s only goal in the 94th minute. Despite failing to convert multiple chances to extend their lead in extra time, Senegal managed to hold on for their second AFCON title.
