From Hero to Villain: Brahim Díaz and a Night Morocco Won’t Forget

The Africa Cup of Nations 2025 final delivered everything except mercy. On a tense night in Rabat, Senegal defeated Morocco 1–0 after extra time, in a match that will be remembered less for the scoreline and more for one unforgettable moment involving Brahim Díaz.

The Real Madrid midfielder arrived as one of the tournament’s stars. He left as its most tragic figure.

After 90 minutes of high tension and few clear chances, the deadlock was broken early in extra time. In the opening minutes of the first half of added time, Pape Gueye unleashed a stunning long-range strike that flew into the top corner at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah, giving Senegal a 1–0 lead and sending their supporters into raptures.

For Morocco, the goal felt like a gut punch. Moments later, Brahim Díaz was substituted, visibly shaken as he took his seat on the bench, fully aware that his chance to become a national hero was slipping away.

Drama escalated late in the second half of extra time. From a corner aimed at the far post, Díaz went down inside the area after contact with El Hadji Malick Diouf. Referee Jean-Jacques Ngambo Ndala initially waved play on, but VAR intervened.

After a lengthy on-field review, the penalty was awarded to Morocco, igniting furious protests from Senegal. Head coach Pape Thiaw ordered his players off the pitch in protest, while Sadio Mané tried to calm the situation and bring the team back. For several minutes, the final teetered on the edge of abandonment.

What followed stunned the stadium. Díaz opted for a Panenka, softly chipping the ball down the middle. Edouard Mendy barely had to move, catching it comfortably and extinguishing Morocco’s last hope.

The reaction was instant and brutal. Former Nigerian striker Efan Ekoku, on commentary duty, summed up the disbelief:

“What is Brahim Díaz doing? I can’t believe it. Too clever for his own good. You may never get another chance like this in an AFCON final.”

The miss overshadowed what had otherwise been an outstanding tournament for Brahim Díaz. With five goals, he finished as the competition’s top scorer, claiming the Golden Boot and establishing himself as one of Africa’s most dangerous attacking midfielders.

Senegal held on to claim their second AFCON title, five years after lifting the trophy for the first time. Morocco, hosts and pre-tournament favorites with stars like Achraf Hakimi and Noussair Mazraoui, were left empty-handed once again.

From talisman to target in a single kick, Brahim Díaz embodied the cruelty of football’s biggest stages. His tournament proved his quality. His penalty miss defined the final. And in Morocco, the wait for continental glory goes on, haunted by a Panenka that never found the net.

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