Senegal clinched the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title with a tense 1–0 victory over hosts Morocco in a pulsating final on Sunday night in Rabat.
The showdown between Africa’s top two-ranked sides lived up to its billing, with both teams locked in a cagey, goalless first half. Chances were scarce, and defences held firm as the match drifted toward a stalemate.
Drama erupted late in regulation time when Ismaila Sarr thought he had broken the deadlock, only for his header to be ruled out for a foul on Achraf Hakimi. Moments later, controversy deepened as Morocco were awarded a penalty in the 97th minute, prompting heated protests that briefly saw Senegalese players walk off the pitch.
Calm eventually returned, but Eduoard Mendy rose to the moment, brilliantly saving Brahim Diaz’s poorly executed panenka to keep Senegal alive.
The decisive moment came in the first half of extra time when Pape Gueye unleashed a sublime left-footed strike to stun the Atlas Lions and seal Senegal’s triumph, crowning the West Africans champions after a night of high drama and raw emotion.
