AFCON 2026: Why the Final Was Stopped as Senegal Beat Morocco to Win the Title?

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AFCON 2026: Why the Final Was Stopped as Senegal Beat Morocco to Win the Title?

Senegal were crowned Africa Cup of Nations champions for the second time on Sunday night after defeating hosts Morocco 1-0 in a dramatic final overshadowed by a long stoppage, furious protests and clashes in the stands. Pape Gueye scored the winning goal in extra time, sealing Senegal’s triumph, but the night will be remembered for the extraordinary scenes that halted the match in Rabat.

The final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium had been tight and tense throughout, with both teams searching for control in front of a charged home crowd. The atmosphere shifted dramatically deep into stoppage time when referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a controversial penalty following a lengthy VAR review of El Hadji Malick Diouf’s challenge on Brahim Diaz.

The decision triggered immediate outrage from the Senegal players. Several members of the squad walked off the pitch in furious protest, refusing to continue as they surrounded the officials. The tension on the field quickly spilled into the stands, where anger among Senegal supporters escalated into clashes with security.

Why the AFCON Final Was Halted for Nearly 20 Minutes

As the confrontation intensified, objects were thrown from the Senegal section, and some fans attempted to move toward the pitch. Stadium stewards and riot police rushed to intervene, forming a protective line to prevent a full-scale pitch invasion. With players off the field and security overwhelmed, the AFCON final was officially stopped for almost 20 minutes — one of the longest interruptions in tournament history.

Calm was eventually restored, and after discussions between officials and both benches, the match resumed despite the hostile atmosphere inside the stadium.

Diaz Misses Late Penalty as Stadium Erupts in Chaos

When play finally restarted, Brahim Diaz stepped up to take what could have been a championship-winning penalty for Morocco. His attempted chip down the middle was anticipated brilliantly by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, who stayed upright and caught the ball cleanly. The save kept the match at 0-0 and sent the final into extra time.

Pape Gueye’s Extra-Time Goal Wins AFCON for Senegal

The momentum swung instantly in Senegal’s favour. Reinvigorated after surviving the chaotic late drama, the defending champions approached extra time with renewed determination. Pape Gueye delivered the decisive moment, finishing clinically to silence the Moroccan crowd and put Senegal on the brink of history.

Morocco pushed forward desperately in the closing minutes, but Senegal defended resolutely, showing composure and organisation despite the earlier turmoil.

Senegal Hold Firm to Claim Their Second Continental Title

At the final whistle, Senegal celebrated a remarkable victory achieved under immense pressure. Their 1-0 win over Morocco will be remembered not only for Gueye’s extra-time strike, but also for the unprecedented stoppage caused by the disputed penalty, the player walk-off, and the clashes in the stands that threatened to overshadow the match entirely.

In the end, Senegal emerged from the chaos as champions once again

<!-- Author Start -->Joel Oliver<!-- Author End -->

Joel Oliver

Author

Joel Oliver is a seasoned multimedia sports journalist with a rich background in covering diverse football stories and events in South Africa and beyond.
His extensive coverage spans subjects touching on the PSL, with a focus on the Big Three (Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs & Mamelodi Sundowns), Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana.

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