Pape Gueye’s stunning goal in extra time won the Africa Cup of Nations final for Senegal - after hosts Morocco missed the chance to win the trophy for the first time in 50 years as Brahim Diaz fluffed a ‘Panenka’ penalty following a controversial late decision that sparked an extraordinary protest from the Senegal team.
The final in Rabat descended into chaos deep into stoppage time when Morocco were awarded a penalty after a VAR review by Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala when Diaz went down the box under the challenge of El Hadji Malick Diouf.
Senegal, who had an opening goal disallowed for a soft foul on Morocco captain Achraf Hakimin moments before, were outraged and the majority of the Senegal team, led by head coach Pape Thiaw, stormed off the pitch, leading to a 14-minute delay.
When Senegal were convinced to come back onto the pitch by talisman Sadio Mane, Diaz, with the chance to win a historic Africa Cup of Nations title for the hosts Morocco in the 24th minute of stoppage time, chipped his penalty softly down the middle - resulting in the easiest of saves for goalkeeper Mendy.
The final then went to extra time, where Gueye scored a stunning goal to win Senegal their second Africa Cup of Nations title in four years, in a final that will be remembered as one of the most chaotic international matches of all time.
Follow all the latest updates from the Afcon final below:
Read MoreSenegal win Africa Cup of Nations after walking off pitch amid penalty chaos
How the Africa Cup of Nations final descended into chaos
Senegal and ex-Liverpool star Sadio Mane eyes fairytale Afcon farewell in final against Morocco
Senegal vs Morocco live
- Senegal see off Morocco after extra time to be crowned Afcon champions in chaotic final
- 94' GOAL! Gueye fires rocket into top corner to put Senegal in front [SEN 1-0 MAR]
- 90+24' MISS! Diaz goes for the dink and misses after Thiaw drags Senegal players into dressing room [SEN 0-0 MAR]
- 90+8' PENALTY! Morocco awarded contentious penalty as final descends into carnage [SEN 0-0 MAR]
- 90+2' NO GOAL! Senegal have late winner controversially ruled out [SEN 0-0 MAR]
Mikel: 'Senegal have given it their all'
05:00 , Will Castle“Senegal have given it their all,” John Obi Mikel told E4.
“With everything that went on Senegal decided to come back and continue playing.
“It would have been a sad end to see the Africa Cup of Nations end that way.”
Senegal celebrate Afcon glory with special guest
03:00 , Will CastleCelebrations with a legendary guest. AKON 🇸🇳#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/x9ecxhzrKA
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 18, 2026
Brahim Diaz in tears after disastrous ‘Panenka’ penalty costs Morocco Afcon final
02:30 , Will CastleBrahim Diaz was left in tears after his fluffed ‘Panenka’-style penalty cost Morocco their first Africa Cup of Nations title in 50 years in a chaotic final against Senegal.
"He had a lot of time before taking the penalty which must have disturbed him," said Morocco manager Walid Regragui.
"But we can't change what happened. That is how he chose to take the penalty. We need to look forwards now."
Brahim Diaz in tears after disastrous ‘Panenka’ penalty costs Morocco Afcon final
Senegal's crowning moment
02:00 , Will CastleSenegal's golden moment. 🇸🇳🏆#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/nMfVAWzc8m
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 18, 2026
Senegal boss Pape Thiaw storms out of press conference after being jeered by Moroccan journalists
01:30 , Will CastleSenegal coach Pape Thiaw was roundly jeered and then walked out of his scheduled post-match press conference as the drama of Sunday's contentious Africa Cup of Nations final continued well after the final whistle.
Thiaw ordered his players off the field in protest at a penalty awarded against them before they returned to beat hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time and win the trophy.
Thiaw had been expected to explain his decision at the post-match press conference but when he entered the room the coach was jeered by Moroccan journalists while their Senegalese counterparts clapped.
Failure by officials to quieten a rowdy room then saw Thiaw leave.
Senegal boss Thiaw storms out of press conference after being jeered by journalists
Regragui: 'What we showed of African football was disappointing'
01:00 , Will Castle"We are really disappointed for all the Moroccan people," said Morocco coach Walid Regragui. "When you get a penalty in the last minute, you can see victory very close, but in the end football catches up with you.
"We congratulate Senegal, even if what we showed of African football was disappointing, given everything that happened when the penalty was awarded.”
How the Africa Cup of Nations final descended into chaos
00:45 , Will CastlePape Gueye’s stunning winner
With Diaz’s miss forcing the game to extra time, Thiaw's men, fuelled by a sense of injustice, regrouped and forced their way in front when Gueye surged forward and blasted a left-foot piledriver past Morocco goalkeeper Bono and in off the underside of the crossbar.
Bono later denied Cherif Ndiaye a second with a stunning double save and Gueye's contribution ultimately proved decisive.
How the Africa Cup of Nations final descended into chaos
00:15 , Will CastleSenegal return to the field
Mane ran into the dressing room to retrieve his players and after a 16-minute hiatus, the Senegal squad returned to the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium turf to allow Morocco to take their penalty. In what he says was his last ever Afcon match, Mane was evidently instrumental on getting his teammates back on the pitch, with Thiaw eventually giving in and similarly instructing his players to return.
How the Africa Cup of Nations final descended into chaos
00:00 , Will CastleSenegal’s walk-off protest
Thiaw ordered his players off the pitch in protest to what was another soft decision against his Senegal side, initially keeping them on the touchline before dragging them into the dressing room. A handful of Morocco players remained in the box, waiting to take their potentially match-winning penalty as they consulted the referee.
In the midst of the mayhem, Senegal fans clashed with security as they tried to invade the pitch, with some seen being forcibly carried away. Senegal talisman Mane, however, stayed on the pitch in an act of defiance against his manager’s orders, with the former Liverpool winger clearly keen to get the match restarted. Yet with the Senegal team nowhere to be seen, the outcome of the final hung in the balance.
How the Africa Cup of Nations final descended into chaos
23:45 , Will CastleMorocco’s controversial penalty
Three minutes later, Diaz went down in the box under the challenge of left-back El Hadji Malick Diouf, claiming he had been tugged to the ground by the West Ham man. With Diaz vehemently protesting that he had been fouled, the incident was taken to VAR before Ndala was called to the monitor.
Officials and players jostled with each other while the referee consulted the touchline screen and when Ndala returned to the pitch to award a last-minute spot-kick, giving Morocco a golden chance to snatch Afcon glory, the final plunged into chaos.
How the Africa Cup of Nations final descended into chaos
23:30 , Will CastleSenegal’s disallowed goal
Senegal thought they had snatched victory at the death when Ismaila Sarr bundled the ball home in the second minute of stoppage time, heading home after Abdoulaye Seck saw his effort ricochet off the post. However, the whistle went very quickly for a soft foul on Achraf Hakimi, who had been brushed off by Seck as the Paris Saint-Germain star tried to hinder the defender.
Thiaw and the Senegal players were clearly outraged by Ndala’s decision, which did not appear to receive much of a VAR check. The game swiftly got back underway with the score still goalless.
How the Africa Cup of Nations final descended into chaos
23:20 , Will CastleSenegal have been crowned Africa Cup of Nations champions after one of the most chaotic and perplexing major finals in football history.
After what had been a frantic but goalless game so far, the clash descended into carnage in second-half stoppage time after two controversial decisions against Senegal, the second being a last-gasp penalty for Morocco, led to manager Pape Thiaw dragging his team off the pitch and into the dressing room in protest.
Teranga Lions talisman Sadio Mane remained on the touchline before retrieving his team after a lengthy delay, with referee Jean-Jacques Ndala losing complete control of the match.
Brahim Diaz, who went down softly to win the spot-kick, then stepped up to take the penalty in the 24th minute of additional time, only to see his abysmal ‘Panenka’ attempt float into the arms of Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, with the game therefore forced into extra time.
Pape Sarr went on to score the winner in stunning fashion for Senegal in the 94th minute, with his rocket of an effort proving the difference and denying the Atlas Lions a first Afcon title since 1976.
Here’s how it all unfolded...
Match-winner Gueye named man of the match
23:13 , Will CastlePape Gueye wins the TotalEnergies Man of the Match in the #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 final. 🇸🇳🌟@Football2Gether pic.twitter.com/GtcPwDrbK9
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 18, 2026
Sadio Mane reluctantly takes the trophy-lifting honours
22:35 , Will CastleKalidou Koulibaly would traditionally lift the trophy as Senegal skipper but after the events of tonight, there’s not much of a surprise he gives Sadio Mane the honours.
Mane is always the reluctant hero, but he eventually holds the gold aloft. Senegal are champions of Africa!
Senegal players get their crowning moment
22:33 , Will CastleAnd now the Senegal players get their medals. In the pouring rain, the Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah is all be empty.
Morocco players given their runners-up medals
22:29 , Will CastleMorocco’s players look truly heartbroken as they receive their runners-up medals. This was meant to be there Afcon.
The majority are removing their medal before they reach the end of the stage.
Brahim Diaz receives his golden boot
22:26 , Will CastleGianni Infantino awards Brahim Diaz his golden boot, with his tally of five goals meaning he ends Afcon 2025 as the tournament top scorer.
The Real Madrid midfielder had been nothing short of stellar before night - but after that penalty, he’ll know how his Afcon will be remembered. To say he looks dejected is an understatement.
Sadio Mane's defiance pays off
22:20 , Will CastleThere was just one Senegal player left on the pitch when Pape Thiaw dragged his team back into the dressing room amid the chaos of Morocco’s controversial penalty: Sadio Mane, their leader.
He stayed out there and got his team back onto the field to finish the final, whether that penalty was scored or not. It was the right thing to do an it paid off.
The behaviour of Senegal’s wider team will be the main talking point of tonight’s final, but Mane can only be praised for his actions.
Senegal win Africa Cup of Nations after final descends into
22:09 , Will Castle FULL-TIME! Senegal 1-0 Morocco
22:01 , Will CastleThere is so much to unpack. Stay tuned for reaction from one of the most extraordinary, controversial and dramatic continental finals in football history.
FULL-TIME! Senegal 1-0 Morocco
21:58 , Will CastlePape Gueye’s stunning goal in extra time won the Africa Cup of Nations final for Senegal - after hosts Morocco missed the chance to win the trophy for the first time in 50 years as Brahim Diaz fluffed a ‘Panenka’ penalty following a controversial late decision that sparked an extraordinary protest from the Senegal team.
The final in Rabat descended into chaos deep into stoppage time when Morocco were awarded a penalty after a VAR review by Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala when Diaz went down the box under the challenge of El Hadji Malick Diouf.
Senegal, who had an opening goal disallowed for a soft foul on Morocco captain Achraf Hakimin moments before, were outraged and the majority of the Senegal team, led by head coach Pape Thiaw, stormed off the pitch, leading to a 14-minute delay.
When Senegal were convinced to come back onto the pitch by talisman Sadio Mane, Diaz, with the chance to win a historic Africa Cup of Nations title for the hosts Morocco in 24th minute of stoppage time, chipped his penalty softly down the middle - resulting in the easiest of saves for goalkeeper Mendy.
The final then went to extra time, where Gueye scored a stunning goal to win Senegal their second Africa Cup of Nations title in four years, in a final that will be remembered as one of the most chaotic international matches of all time.
FULL-TIME! Senegal 1-0 Morocco
21:57 , Will CastleSENEGAL ARE THE AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS CHAMPIONS!
Morocco’s dreams of a home title are crushed. A truly inconceivable final.
Senegal 1-0 Morocco
21:55 , Will Castle120+2 mins: Senegal have the ball in the corner.
Sadio Mane is punching the air. He can sense his team are nearly there.
Senegal 1-0 Morocco
21:54 , Will Castle120+1 mins: Three minutes of stoppage time.
Senegal 1-0 Morocco
21:53 , Will Castle120 mins: Mendy collects another Morocco cross and the dream is fading fast.
Senegal 1-0 Morocco
21:52 , Will Castle119 mins: Seats are emptying in Rabat, but Morocco still believe. It’s now or never for the hosts.
Senegal 1-0 Morocco
21:49 , Will Castle117 mins: First Pape, now Idrissa. The Everton midfielder catches the half-volley sweetly and sees his effort flash past the face of goal.
Senegal 1-0 Morocco
21:49 , Will Castle115 mins: Gueye doesn’t half know how to hit them. He unleashes a rocket from range and stings the palms of Bono.
Senegal’s corner is worked nicely to find Mane in the box, who wins another corner.
Senegal 1-0 Morocco
21:47 , Will Castle114 mins: Akhomach tries to inspire something on the edge of the box before running into a wall of green.
As Senegal bring it up the pitch, Mane wins a free-kick on halfway. That’ll kill a few more seconds.
Senegal 1-0 Morocco
21:45 , Will Castle111 mins: MISS! As if this final didn’t already have anything - it’s now got one of the worst misses in major final history!
Bono produces a great a save to deny Ndiaye but it looks a certain goal as the substitute closes in on the rebound, only for him to hit wide of the open goal.
Madness.
Senegal 1-0 Morocco
21:42 , Will Castle108 mins: OFF THE BAR! Aguerd smashes the woodwork with a header from the corner, and Senegal survive!
It’s a great header and it has Mendy beaten, but it’s not to be for the hosts.
Senegal 1-0 Morocco
21:40 , Will Castle107 mins: El Yamiq goes for the volley from the edge of the box and scuffs wide.
The centre-back would’ve been an unlikely scorer.
BACK UNDERWAY! Senegal 1-0 Morocco
21:39 , Will CastleMorocco have 15 minutes to save what has been the most chaotic, controversial continental final in living memory.
HALF-TIME! Senegal 1-0 Morocco
21:37 , Will CastleHalf-time of extra time. Senegal, from the brink of the most defeat in the most controversial of ways, now lead the 2025 Afcon final thanks an absolute stunner by Pape Gueye.
Senegal 1-0 Morocco
21:35 , Will Castle105 mins: CHANCE! Mbaye dances past two Senegal players before letting fly in the box, but he’s thwarted by a white shirt at the last moment.
That would’ve been some goal from the young talent.
Senegal 1-0 Morocco
21:34 , Will Castle102 mins: CLOSE! En-Nesyri gets down low to meet a bouncing ball but heads just wide!
Morocco are searching for an equaliser to take it to... don’t say it... penalties. Wonder how long a shootout will take?
Senegal 1-0 Morocco
21:32 , Will Castle102 mins: The rain is suddenly really pouring in Rabat. The football gods are not happy with what this Afcon final has developed into.
Pure, unadulterated carnage.
Senegal 1-0 Morocco
21:30 , Will Castle100 mins: Morocco come again as Ezzalzouli heads down for En-Nesyri, but Mendy gets down to claim it.
He then writhes in pain after appearing to be caught by the striker, but the contact is minimal. He’s playing for time.
Senegal 1-0 Morocco
21:27 , Will Castle97 mins: Diaz tries to pick up the pieces as he receives the ball on the edge of the box but his effort is saved by Mendy.
And that’s his last action of Afcon 2025. After such a stellar tournament, it ends with that awful missed penalty. Maybe he meant it. Who knows.
GOAL! Senegal 1-0 Morocco (Gueye, 94')
21:24 , Will CastleWHAT A HIT FROM PAPE GUEYE, AND SENEGAL NOW LEAD!
This final... I can’t comprehend.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
21:22 , Will Castle92 mins: Still in complete disbelief of what has just unfolded in the past 20 minutes.
How can we treat this like a normal football game again?
KICK-OFF! Senegal 0-0 Morocco
21:20 , Will CastleWe are back underway. That missed penalty may have just saved the reputation of this entire tournament, because as was repeated on commentary, that would have been a shameful conclusion to Afcon 2025.
FULL-TIME! Senegal 0-0 Morocco
21:18 , Will CastleAnd we go to extra time. Just staggering.
PENALTY MISSED! Senegal 0-0 Morocco
21:16 , Will Castle90+24 mins: DIAZ GOES FOR THE DINK... AND MISSES.
THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE. AFTER ALL THAT.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
21:14 , Will Castle90+21 mins: The players are back out. Mendy is back in his box and he has been yellow carded. You’d think threatening to ditch a continental final would bring about a worse punishment, but this is purely damage control from the referee now.
Brahim Diaz is about to take this penalty. Finally.
To decide Afcon 2025...
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
21:12 , Will Castle90+20 mins: Mane has just run into his dressing room and he is re-emerging with his team.
This is baffling, and a sour end to a great tournament.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
21:09 , Will Castle90+18 mins: Sadio Mane will have to go in goal at this rate. Ridiculous and unprecedented.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
21:09 , Will Castle90+17 mins: Senegal’s players are heading down the tunnel in protest. This is unbelievable.
Sadio Mane, though, is still out there. He doesn’t want his final Afcon to end like this.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
21:07 , Will Castle90+15 mins: Pape Thiaw is adamant his players aren’t going anywhere at the moment. I’ve never seen a referee lose control of a game so badly.
Both managers are on the pitch.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
21:04 , Will Castle90+13 mins: Oh my word. Pape Thiaw is taking his players off the pitch before the penalty can be taken.
This is extraordinary.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
21:03 , Will Castle90+11 mins: The referee is struggling to get a grip on this. Senegal players are still vehemently protesting.
PENALTY! Senegal 0-0 Morocco
21:01 , Will Castle90+8 mins: THE REFEREE POINTS TO THE SPOT, AND IT’S BEDLAM IN RABAT!
A touchline fracas ensues and Senegal will feel very hard done by if this goes in. Their disallowed goal was soft, as was that foul against Diouf.
Morocco will not care. They have a chance to win the Africa Cup of Nations with the last kick of the game.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
20:59 , Will Castle90+6 mins: Well, what drama.
Brahim Diaz is furious and feels he was pulled down in the penalty box by Diouf.
The referee has just been called over to the monitor. The noise we might be about to hear in Rabat.
NO GOAL! Senegal 0-0 Morocco
20:55 , Will Castle90+2 mins: Senegal have the ball in the net - but it’s not going to count!
Hakimi goes down under the challenge of Seck from the long throw before the defender hits the post, with the rebound then bundled in.
The referee blew early for a foul, but there really wasn’t a lot in that. A huge let-off for the hosts.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
20:53 , Will Castle90+1 mins: Eight minutes added on for normal time. Surprised it’s not more, to be honest.
Mbaye breaks down the right and whips in a dangerous ball for Jackson, cut out very well by El Yamiq.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
20:52 , Will Castle90 mins: SAVE! Bono to the rescue again for Morocco as Mbaye does brilliantly to get it onto his left foot and fire towards the top left corner, only to be denied by the Al-Hilal stopper.
Up the other end, Ezzalzouli breaks into the box but under intense pressure, he can’t find the target.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
20:51 , Will Castle89 mins: Masina looks to have picked up an injury and goes down in tears - his race his run.
El Yamiq replaces him in the Morocco defence.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
20:50 , Will Castle86 mins: Pape Gueye takes a wild swiped shot after Targhalline knocked the ball straight to the midfielder on the edge of the box.
The Morocco substitute is fortunate that the Senegal man was unable to find his balance to fire off a better shot.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
20:48 , Will Castle85 mins: The substitutions indicated that neither side are keen for this to go to penalties, though as the tempo drops just slightly, it’s clear both are being extra cautious entering these final stages.
Extra time looms.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
20:44 , Will Castle81 mins: Ezzalzouli meets Hakimi’s corner on the volley but hits it into the ground, taking the sting out of it and causing little trouble for Mendy.
We’re into the final 10 minutes but we should expect more than double that including stoppages.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
20:43 , Will Castle80 mins: Hakimi is standing over a corner but it won’t be taken before Regragui makes his changes.
Targhalline and En-Nesyri are on in place of El Khannouss and El Kaabi.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
20:41 , Will Castle77 mins: A big roll of the dice from Senegal as Thiaw makes a triple substitution.
Sarr replaces Camara, Mbaye comes on for Ndiaye and Mendy makes way for Seck.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
20:37 , Will Castle75 mins: We are back underway, after a stoppage of over eight minutes.
A Morocco corner is taken after a little bit of wrestling in the box but comes to nothing.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
20:36 , Will Castle73 mins: It’s been a very lengthy stoppage but it looks like El Aynaouni will be allowed to play on, with the midfielder heavily bandaged up.
It’s an odd decision on the face of things, given how bloodied he was - let’s hope the Morocco medical team have cleared him of a concussion beyond all doubt.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
20:31 , Will Castle68 mins: A substitute is getting ready for Morocco.
Diouf is also being treated but it’s safe to say El Aynaoui came off the worse of the two.
He was covered in his own crimson within a couple seconds of making clashing heads - a horror cut.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
20:29 , Will Castle66 mins: Sickening clash of heads between El Aynaoui and Diouf from the corner leaves the Moroccan winger with an awful cut, covering his face with blood.
That could well be the end of his game. Gruesome stuff.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
20:27 , Will Castle65 mins: Morocco come again through Hakimi, who whips in a lovely cross that requires the sliced clearance of Niakhate, who diverts over his own crossbar.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
20:25 , Will Castle63 mins: CHANCE! It’s another great opportunity for Morocco that stems from sloppy play from Senegal, with the hosts pouncing an breaking forward.
El Kaabi receives the ball in the box but is thwarted by a last-ditch challenge, before Ezzalzouli misfires from the tight angle.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
20:20 , Will Castle58 mins: CHANCE! That’s the opportunity El Kaabi has been waiting for all evening!
It’s a wonderfully weighted ball from El Khannouss to put it on a plate for the Morocco striker, but he can only fire wide from the edge of the six-yard box.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
20:19 , Will Castle56 mins: First glimpse of the second half from Senegal as Mane breaks into the box and fires a ball across, only to be cut out by a Moroccan defender and cleared for a corner.
Camara’s cross is headed away.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
20:14 , Will Castle53 mins: Hakimi steps up... and hits his free-kick straight into the two-man wall.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
20:13 , Will Castle52 mins: Mendy blocks off Ezzalzouli and gives Morocco a good free-kick opportunity on the left side of the Senegal box.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
20:13 , Will Castle50 mins: It’s that man again who sparks this game back into life as Ezzalzouli beats his man before whipping in a delicious cross towards El Kaabi at the back post.
Senegal manage to flick it out for a corner, from which nothing comes from, but Morocco are beginning to ramp up the pressure.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
20:11 , Will Castle49 mins: Tepid start to the second half so far, with both teams lumping it long to each other.
BACK UNDERWAY! Senegal 0-0 Morocco
20:07 , Will CastleHere we go again! No changes from either side.
Here come the teams
20:07 , Will CastleBoth sets of players are back out under the lights.
Second half coming up...
HALF-TIME! Senegal 0-0 Morocco
20:01 , Will Castle HALF-TIME! Senegal 0-0 Morocco
19:58 , Will CastleMorocco goalkeeper Bono has come to the host nation’s rescue to keep the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 final goalless at half-time.
The Al-Hilal stopper produced a huge stop early into the contest to deny a header from Pape Gueye getting across to block his header at the back post on the line.
Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye was then denied one-on-one later in the half, with Bono stretching out his foot to thwart the Senegal forward.
Morocco have threatened too with Abde Ezzalzouli proving a real live wire on the left, though Afcon top scorer Brahim Diaz has so far been kept quiet.
HALF-TIME! Senegal 0-0 Morocco
19:52 , Will CastleA captivating Afcon final but as of half-time, no goals!
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
19:52 , Will Castle45+4 mins: It’s an all-action end to the first half as Morocco give the ball away sloppily, allowing Ndiaye to pounce and try and force something late for Senegal.
He nutmegs his man before slipping it to Camara, who just needs to feed it to Mane in space to the left of him to give Senegal a golden opportunity to take the lead.
However, the Monaco man snatches at the shot, which is blocked.
The hosts then look to counter up the other end, with Saibari seeing a shot from range blocked before nothing comes from a resulting corner.
And that’s the whistle!
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
19:48 , Will Castle45+3 mins: Senegal take about 90 seconds to take that corner, which comes to nothing.
Morocco are ticking it around the back. Can they fashion one more chance of the first half?
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
19:47 , Will Castle45+1 mins: Sadio Mane tries to inspire something magical for his country as the clock ticks over to 45, with the former Liverpool winger sprinting into the box.
He beats one man but another Morocco body comes to cover and concedes a corner.
We’re into four additional minutes.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
19:46 , Will Castle43 mins: Camara, on a yellow card, produces a perfect sliding challenge to nick the ball off Saibari on the edge of the box, but the Moroccan’s stray boot catches the Monaco man in the face, leaving him in considerable pain.
He receives treatment for a couple of minutes but looks OK to continue.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
19:43 , Will Castle40 mins: CHANCE! That should be 1-0 Morocco!
Ezzalzouli turns his man and whips in the most delightful cross, and it seems a simple task for Aguerd to head home.
However, the former West Ham defender tries flicking his head and in doing so, he completely misses the ball.
Ezzalzouli looks to the sky, wondering how he hasn’t just set up his country’s opener.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
19:39 , Will Castle37 mins: SAVE! WHAT A STOP FROM BONO!
Having just been down receiving treatment, Ndiaye is sent through on goal and only has Bono to beat.
He slows down and steadies himself, tries rolling it into the far corner but Bono’s right foot is stretched out far enough to deny the Everton man.
Best chance of the game.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
19:38 , Will Castle36 mins: Concern for Senegal and Everton fans as Ndiaye goes down awkwardly after planting his right foot under the challenge of Ezzalzouli.
Sarr is sent out to warm up but after receiving treatment, he gets back to his feet and looks good to continue.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
19:35 , Will Castle34 mins: Real grit and desire from both sides in that passage of play, one that started with a surging run from Senegal left-back Diouf.
The tempo did briefly drop after a frantic start, but you feel this one is heating up again. An absorbing contest so far.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
19:33 , Will Castle33 mins: The Real Betis winger overcooks it. Over everyone and out for a goal kick.
A wasted chance.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
19:32 , Will Castle32 mins: This is a nice opportunity for Morocco. They’ve got a free-kick on the corner of the Senegal box after Ndiaye brought down Mazraoui.
It’s Ezzalzouli over the ball...
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
19:30 , Will Castle29 mins: Brahim Diaz, arguably the MVP of Afcon 2025, has been completely frozen out so far.
Barely had a sniff, the Real Madrid man.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
19:28 , Will Castle27 mins: Senegal are seeing more of the ball but waste a free-kick opportunity from deep as Camara overhits the ball out for a goal kick.
Whistles from the Moroccan fans turn to jeers.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
19:26 , Will Castle24 mins: Monaco’s Camara is the first man to go into the book, with his sliding challenge on El Ayaouni late.
Maybe a bit harsh to brandish a card, with Camara not actually catching the Moroccan who instead hurdled his flailing legs.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
19:22 , Will Castle20 mins: CHANCE! Gueye is caught in possession in the middle of the park, allowing Morocco to break with it two-on-two.
Saibari is slipped through but Mendy gets out quickly and does enough to put off the Moroccan midfielder, who fires wide.
He did look a couple of yards offside and replays show the goal would not have stood either way.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
19:17 , Will Castle16 mins: Ezzalzouli once again looks to threaten down the left as he bursts into the box, but it’s really good covering from Mendy to see the ball out of play.
Senegal’s much-changed back-line is holding up well so far.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
19:14 , Will Castle13 mins: Frantic tempo so far as Morocco come forward again, this time through Saibari who drives towards the box before lashing wide.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
19:10 , Will Castle8 mins: CHANCE! Up the other end, Ezzalzouli dances into the box and flashes a threatening low ball across the face of goal, but there’s nobody in white to knock it home.
The Real Betis winger has had a fine tournament.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
19:07 , Will Castle6 mins: SAVE! The delivery is deep and falls to Pape Gueye at the back post, but after misjudging the flight of the ball, Bono recovers brilliantly to get across and block the header on the line.
If Gueye heads that into the near post rather than back across, that’s 1-0 to Senegal.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
19:05 , Will Castle5 mins: Mane drives at Hakimi and wins a corner. An early opportunity from the set play from Senegal.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
19:04 , Will Castle4 mins: Mane goes down and stays down under a questionable challenge, but no foul is given by the referee.
Fortunately for Senegal, their talisman swiftly gets back to his feet.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
19:03 , Will Castle2 mins: Deafening whistles from the Moroccan fans whenever Senegal have the ball.
It might just be rattling the Senegal back five as they tick it around during the early stages, with Mendy struggling to get ahold of a pass.
A hostile atmosphere, to say the least.
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