The reactions after the crazy AFCON final between Senegal and Morrocco continue to emerge after Sunday night’s events.
At the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Senegal claimed a 1-0 extra‑time win to lift a second AFCON title, but only after a scarcely believable sequence of late drama that left millions – including former Liverpool man Trent Alexander-Arnold – stunned.
Deep into stoppage time, with the game goalless and Morocco pushing for a first continental crown since 1976, all hell broke loose. Senegal thought they had snatched it when Ismaila Sarr bundled the ball home, only for VAR to intervene and rule the goal out for a foul in the build‑up.
Moments later, the referee was sent to the monitor again, this time for a challenge by El Hadji Malick Diouf on Real Madrid forward Brahim Díaz inside the box. After a lengthy review, he pointed to the spot – sparking fury from Senegal boss Pape Thiaw, who ordered most of his players off the pitch in protest.
With Morocco a penalty kick away from the trophy, the AFCON showpiece descended into surreal scenes. The match was suspended for well over 10 minutes as Senegal’s players disappeared down the tunnel, before Sadio Mane eventually dragged his teammates back out to finish the game.
When the dust finally settled, it all came down to Diaz. The Real Madrid attacker, tournament top scorer with five goals, stepped up with the chance to write himself into Moroccan football history.
Instead, he produced what is already being called one of the worst penalties ever taken in a major final. Rather than picking a corner, Díaz opted for an audacious Panenka, dinking the ball straight into the grateful arms of Edouard Mendy, who barely had to move.
The penalty miss was so bad that Trent Alexander-Arnold even left the room in shock:
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s reaction to Brahim Diaz’s penalty miss vs Senegal… he left the room in disbelief 🫣
pic.twitter.com/p7EduZkEVr
— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) January 19, 2026
A walk‑off protest, a disastrous Panenka, a thunderbolt winner – and a Liverpool icon losing his mind live on Twitch. As far as AFCON finals go, this one had everything.
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