Article by Alexandru Tomuțiu – Published Monday, January 19, 2026, 09:44 / Updated Monday, January 19, 2026 09:45
In a final that will remain in the memory of football lovers due to its dramatic outcome, Senegal won the Africa Cup of Nationsbeating Morocco 1-0 in extra time. The match was a real “thriller”, with canceled goals, a missed penalty in extra time and a “torpedo” by Pape Gueye that decided the champion.
The end of regular time was downright thrilling. In the 90+3 minute, Senegal thought they had won the match with a goal by Abdoulaye Seck, but it was disallowed for a foul on Hakimi. The high point of the drama came a few minutes later when Ndala, with VAR intervention, awarded Morocco a penalty.
It was a decision that angered the Senegalese. They temporarily left the field. Finally, after their comeback, Brahim Diaz fired home the 11-yard strike that would have given his side the title, but Edouard Mendy made a fantastic save to save the ball and send the final into extra time, keeping Senegal in the game. It was minute 90+4.
Brahim Diaz, accused of intentionally missing the penalty in Senegal – Morocco
The Morocco star broke down in tears when Mendy saved the Panenka-style penalty and looked like he couldn't believe what had happened. However, the controversial nature of the match has spawned theories on social media. “Did the player miss on purpose?”, several microbiologists wondered.
He could have become the hero of his nation, but ended up being one of the “unlucky ones” of the match. Many wonder if he deliberately missed the crucial penalty that could have given Morocco the title.
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“Diaz was definitely told to miss on purpose because of the decision”
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“Was justice done or missed on purpose?”
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“Diaz missed on purpose”
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“What do you think, did Diaz miss this penalty on purpose? He could have brought the title after 3 decades”
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“That's why he's not a starter at Real Madrid”
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“I love seeing her tears”
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“I feel sorry for him, his career is over”
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“Brahim Diaz did the most honorable thing possible and restored the reputation of the competition. Of course, he missed on purpose. If he hadn't, the repercussions and consequences would have been much worse”
Former Chelsea star Nigerian John Obi Mikel commented: “This will haunt him for the rest of his life. He didn't show the respect the competition deserved“.
