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who won the afcon final

Senegal are the official winners of the most recent AFCON final, beating hosts Morocco 1–0 after extra time in Rabat.

Quick Scoop: Who won the AFCON final?

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (played in early 2026 in Morocco) ended in huge drama, but on the pitch the title went to Senegal. They defeated Morocco 1–0 in extra time, with Pape Gueye scoring the decisive goal to secure Senegal’s second AFCON crown.

Key facts at a glance

  • Winner: Senegal.
  • Runner-up: Morocco (tournament hosts).
  • Score in the final: 1–0 after extra time.
  • Winning goal: Pape Gueye in extra time.
  • Venue: Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat, Morocco.
  • Title count: Senegal’s second AFCON trophy in the last three editions.

Why everyone’s talking about it

The match turned into one of the most chaotic AFCON finals in history. Late in stoppage time, Morocco received a highly controversial penalty, prompting several Senegal players to walk off the pitch in protest before eventually returning. Brahim Díaz then tried a Panenka-style penalty but saw his effort comfortably saved by Édouard Mendy, sending the game into extra time. Shortly after, Gueye’s strike in the 94th minute silenced the home crowd and sealed the title.

Mini timeline of the final

  1. Tight, tense 90 minutes with chances at both ends but no goals.
  1. Deep into stoppage time, Morocco are awarded a contentious penalty after VAR review.
  1. Senegal players briefly leave the field in protest before being persuaded to continue.
  1. Brahim Díaz’s Panenka attempt is saved by Mendy with virtually the last kick of regulation.
  1. Early in extra time, Pape Gueye scores for Senegal to make it 1–0.
  1. Senegal hold on to lift the trophy amid ongoing debate over the refereeing and the walk-off incident.

Different angles people are debating

  • Football purists: Praising Senegal’s resilience and Mendy’s crucial save, noting that the team kept composure despite the chaos.
  • Morocco fans: Focusing on the penalty drama and feeling their side were on the verge of a historic home triumph before momentum flipped.
  • Refereeing debates: Long discussions about VAR, stoppage-time calls, and whether the late penalty should have been given at all.
  • Legacy chat: Highlighting that Senegal have now emerged as a modern AFCON powerhouse with two titles in a short span.

Short, direct answer for search

If you’re just here for the core query “who won the AFCON final”:
Senegal won the latest AFCON final, beating Morocco 1–0 after extra time, with Pape Gueye scoring the winning goal.

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