Senegal win Africa Cup of Nations after walking off pitch amid penalty chaosBy Damian Spellman, Press AssociationPape Gueye blasted Senegal to Africa Cup of Nations glory after Morocco’s Brahim Diaz missed a stoppage-time penalty as the tournament ended in chaos. Senegal coach Pape Thiaw, who had minutes earlier seen his team denied a goal for a foul, took his players off the pitch after referee Jean Jacques Ndala awarded the hosts a spot-kick after a VAR review eight minutes into stoppage time amid acrimonious scenes, but saw them live to fight another day. Senegal coach Pape Thiaw took his players off the pitch after a controversial late penalty was awarded to Morocco (Mosa’ab Elshamy/AP/PA) Photo by Mosa’ab ElshamyA highly competitive 90 minutes at Rabat’s Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah was short on genuine chances, and it was not added time that the fireworks really began. Morocco’s Brahim Diaz (left) saw a late penalty saved by Senegal’s Edouard Mendy (Youssef Loulidi/AP/PA) Photo by Youssef LoulidiThiaw’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 Bounou and in off the underside of the crossbar. Bounou denied Cherif Ndiaye a second with a stunning double save and Gueye’s contribution ultimately proved decisive.

Source: Irish Independent January 19, 2026 14:04 UTC