Madness at AFCON - A timeline of the final between Morocco and Senegal

Martin Macdonald

• Updated: 19 Jan 2026 06:29 CST
• 6 min read

News

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final will go down in infamy as one of the craziest matches in the history of the tournament.

The stage was set at the the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, with host nation Morocco going in as favourites against Senegal, with both teams looking to claim their second-ever AFCON title.

Ultimately, the final was won by Senegal thanks to a single goal in extra-time by Papa Gueye, but the result doesn't tell the whole story of what was a quite incredible evening - for good and bad.

Let's look a timeline of the final, skipping into the second period after a first-half without much incident - with a Yassine Bounou save from Iliman Ndiaye probably the highlight.

The drama of the Africa Cup of Nations final continued after the final whistle, with Moroccan journalists walking out of Senegal boss Pape Thiaw’s press conference. 🫣 pic.twitter.com/rRLk2Lg2Eg

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) January 19, 2026

59 mins

A chance for Morocco as Bilal El Khannouss curls a teasing cross into the box only for Ayoub El Kaabi to prod his attempt wide.

67 mins

Neil El Aynaoui and El Hadji Malick Diouf both go for a high ball inside the box, with the former heading the back of the latter's head. El Aynaoui is wrapped up in a head bandage to continue after a lengthy delay to play.

78 mins

Triple change from Senegal. Abdoulaye Seck, Ismaila Sarr and Ibrahim Mbaye replace Antoine Mendy, Lamine Camara and Iliman Ndiaye.

79 mins

Morocco respond with a double substitution of their own. El Kaabi is replaced by Youssef En-Nesyri and Oussama Targhalline is on for El Khannouss.

89 mins

PSG teenager Mbaye sends a lovely effort towards the far post that is saved by Bounou, while En-Nesyri hits a strike wide at the other end.

90 mins

Eight minutes of added time confirmed.

93 mins

GOAL SENEGAL (disallowed)!

The Senegal fans explode into celebrations as Ismaila Sarr sends home a rebound after Abdoulaye Seck's header had hit the post following a corner. However, the joy is short-lived as the referee had already blown his whistle after a very soft foul on Achraf Hakimi.

97 mins

PENALTY TO MOROCCO!

Just a few minutes after seeing a goal disallowed, Morocco concede a penalty thanks to the Video Assistant Referee. It's a soft one as Brahim Diaz goes down a bit too easily under the attention of Malick Diouf, who does have his hands up.

There is a huge delay in the taking of the penalty as players and coaches staff emerge in a melee due to the position, with several players receiving yellow cards.

Riot police are forced to intervene to stop the Senegal fans from entering the pitch. They, like the players, are furious.

100 mins

Senegal players are not leaving the penalty area out of frustration at the decision.

102 mins

Senegal manager Pape Thiaw orders his players OFF THE PITCH in protest at the awarding of the Morocco penalty.

Morocco players plead for their opponents to continue the game, though the penalty will be the last kick of the match in regulation time.

107 mins

Some Senegal players actually return to the dressing room.

Sadio Mane was instrumental in calling the Senegal players back to the pitch 👏#AFCONFinal | #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/LV34ZuSoL4

— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) January 18, 2026

108 mins

Senegal talisman Sadio Mane asks his team-mates to return to the pitch.

113 mins

Eduoard Mendy is booked for coming out to engage penalty taker Brahim Diaz in some psychological warfare.

114 mins

PENALTY SAVED!

Real Madrid star Diaz, who has been waiting 17 minutes to take his penalty, attempts a Panenka down the middle of the goal which is saved by Mendy. Had he scored, he would have won the Africa Cup of Nations for Morocco as it proved to be the last kick of the game.

114 mins

END OF 90 MINS (plus 24 mins of stoppage time)

90+ 13 | 🇲🇦𝐒𝐀𝐕𝐄

Panenka stopped! Brahim Díaz fails to beat the keeper#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 #UBCAFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/bpBkmbKSyg

— UBC UGANDA (@ubctvuganda) January 18, 2026

91 mins (ET)

Extra-Time kicks off.

94 mins (ET)

GOAL SENEGAL!

Having been a penalty kick away from losing the final, Senegal take the lead thanks to a fantastic strike from Papa Gueye. The Senegal fans go crazy in the bottom left corner of the stadium - they have been rowdy, to say they least, all evening.

GOAL!

Pape Gueye fires Senegal ahead in extra-time with a stunning strike into the top corner 🇸🇳👏#AFCONFinal | #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/birBcnv0g6

— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) January 18, 2026

108 mins (ET)

MOROCCO HIT THE BAR

Ilias Akhomach sends in another delicious cross and Nayef Aguerd cannons a header off the crossbar.

124 mins

FULL-TIME: SENEGAL WIN THEIR SECOND AFCON

Post-match

Senegal fans celebrate while the Moroccans in the stands and on the pitch cry.

Brahim Diaz is in floods of tears as FIFA president Gianni Infantino presents him with the top goalscorer award.

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