Morocco star Brahim Diaz admits his "soul hurts" after missing a crucial penalty in his country's Africa Cup of Nations final loss to Senegal. The Real Madrid ace won Morocco a controversial penalty deep into stoppage time, but his tame Panenka was easily saved by Edouard Mendy. As Diaz reflects on their 1-0 defeat, Morocco are said to be considering legal action in light of Senegal's in-game walk-off protest.
It has been revealed that Tottenham midfielder Pape Matar Sarr was rushed to hospital after falling ill during the Africa Cup of Nations final. The 23-year-old had been named among Senegal’s substitutes for a meeting with hosts Morocco. He never made it onto the field and missed post-match celebrations, following a chaotic contest, after requiring medical assistance.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed disciplinary proceedings against Senegal following their dramatic AFCON victory. The Lions of Teranga staged a controversial walk-off protesting a late penalty for Morocco, delaying the conclusion of the final by 14 minutes. Despite returning to win, the governing body and FIFA president Gianni Infantino have condemned the "unacceptable" scenes in Rabat.
There are only three certainties in life: death, taxes and a dramatic Africa Cup of Nations. However, even by the tournament's extraordinary standards, the final of the 2025 edition was like nothing we've ever seen before - albeit not in a good way. In the 93rd minute of a tense but largely uneventful encounter in Rabat, Senegal had a goal from Ismaila Sarr very harshly disallowed for a perceived foul by Abdoulaye Seck on Achraf Hakimi beforehand. Just moments later, Morocco were awarded a penalty after an invention by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), who had spotted a minor tug on Brahim Diaz's shirt by El Hadji Malick Diouf.
Sadio Mane has explained his decision to prevent Senegal from walking off during a chaotic Africa Cup of Nations final clash with hosts Morocco. A number of controversial decisions incensed the Senegalese squad, with the award of a penalty following a supposed foul on Brahim Diaz leading to some players heading off the pitch. Ex-Liverpool star Mane was able to beckon them back.
The Africa Cup of Nations final ended in acrimony and confusion well after the final whistle as Senegal boss Pape Thiaw stormed out of his press conference following a hostile reception from the media. On a night of high drama where his side claimed victory after initially walking off the pitch over a controversial penalty decision, Morocco manager Walid Regragui also faced the wrath of the local press, with furious journalists urging him to resign after the hosts’ 50-year wait for the trophy was extended in heartbreaking fashion.
Morocco talisman Brahim Diaz missed a 114th-minute penalty against Senegal in the AFCON final after inexplicably trying a Panenka chip, which was easily saved by opposition goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. The Real Madrid ace blew the chance to win the trophy for his country after the Senegal squad had stormed off in protest against the initial award of the penalty.
GOAL gives you the details to follow the Teranga Lions' clash with the Atlas Lions at Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah on Sunday. This is a deciding match of this continental competition between teams that have each been crowned African champions once before. A lot is at stake in Rabat on Sunday with the hosts out to avoid humiliation on home soil while the West Africans would be keen to cause an upset.
Nigerian singer-songwriter Burna Boy is shouldering the responsibility of championing African culture and heritage by launching a landmark new campaign ahead of Sunday's Africa Cup of Nations final in Morocco. The initiative comprises music, fashion, sport, film and storytelling, aiming to assert ownership of African narratives. To mark the occasion, Burna Boy has dropped a new music video featuring a host of influential figures from the football world.
Before heading off to represent Morocco at the Africa Cup of Nations, Brahim Diaz thanked Real Madrid fans for all of their support in 2025 before adding, "See you all next year, full of excitement." However, the player and his club's supporters could not be experiencing more contrasting starts to 2026. While Brahim was bursting with joy after Morocco beat Nigeria on penalties on Wednesday to move just one win away from ending the nation's 50-year wait for a second AFCON title, Madridistas were exploding with rage after watching their team suffer a second demoralising defeat in five days.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has formally opened disciplinary proceedings following a series of ugly incidents that marred the quarter-final stages of the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Officials have confirmed that investigations are underway regarding "unacceptable behaviour" from players and staff during the high-profile clashes involving the hosts, Cameroon, Algeria and Nigeria.
Two Manchester United players faced off in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals on Friday, with Noussair Mazraoui's Morocco knocking out Bryan Mbeumo's Cameroon 2-0. Despite the disappointment for the former Brentford forward, Cameroon's elimination provides a timely boost for the Red Devils, who will be pleased to once again be able to call on Mbeumo's services.
Ayoub El Kaabi, one of the early stars of the African Cup of Nations, has achieved a remarkable feat after scoring his second bicycle kick of the tournament. The 32-year-old Olympiacos star scored his first headline-grabbing goal against Comoros, and has now done the same against Zambia.
Kylian Mbappe is backing Africa Cup of Nations hosts Morocco to go the distance in front of their fans at the prestigious competition, according to national team captain Achraf Hakimi. Real Madrid star Mbappe was in attendance for Morocco's 1-1 group stage draw with Mali with the hosts tipped by many to win AFCON for the first time since their initial success in 1976.
Morocco head coach Walid Regragui has thanked Paris Saint-Germain and president Nasser Al-Khelaifi for their role in helping Achraf Hakimi return to fitness, as the Atlas Lions captain nears a return for his national side at AFCON after the best part of two months on the sidelines. Hakimi is expected to feature in hosts Morocco's final group game against Zambia on Monday, and Regragui praised 'gentleman' Al-Khelaifi for allowing Hakimi to join up with his national side early to aid his recovery.
Morocco kicked off the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday with a 2-0 win against Comoros, with Ayoub El Kaabi's overhead kick to clinch the victory likely to be remembered as one of the goals of the tournament. The Atlas Lions are tournament hosts and hoping to become the kings of the continent for the first time in their history having never won AFCON before.
Morocco
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