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 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:
Senegal vs Morocco live
- Senegal see off Morocco after extra time to be crowned Afcon champions in chaotic
- 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]
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.
KICK-OFF! Senegal 0-0 Morocco
19:01 , Will CastleThe 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is... UNDERWAY!
Kick-off next
18:59 , Will CastleA month of African football theatre culminates here and now.
Here come the teams
18:56 , Will CastleThe teams are onto the pitch... time for the anthems!
Safe to say we’re going to get a difference in reaction to the two.
Closing in on kick-off
18:51 , Will CastleWe are just a few moments away from the stars of Senegal and Morocco from taking to the pitch for the 2025 Afcon final!
The Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium is giving us a pretty stunning lights show to get the fans in the mood, not that they’ll need any encouragement.
The tension, the atmosphere - we’re on tenterhooks. Stay tuned!
Final preparations
18:45 , Will CastleT-minus 15 minutes until kick-off!
A look inside the dressing rooms
18:40 , Will CastleThe Atlas Lions’ dreams hang on these walls tonight. 👕🇲🇦#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/rKNNrcenXP
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 18, 2026
Dreams stitched into every jersey. Senegal is ready. 👕🇸🇳#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/U1I79i9vwF
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 18, 2026
Senegal's experience on this stage
18:35 , Will CastleBoth nations are bidding to win their second Africa Cup of Nations crown - though one team will know how to handle this occasion far more than the other.
Senegal’s only title came comparatively recently, with the Teranga Lions lifting the fabled trophy in 2021 when they beat Egypt.
Morocco, meanwhile, have not won Afcon since 1976 and played their last final over two decades ago in 2004.
Senegal vs Morocco: Head-to-head
18:30 , Will CastleMorocco have won four of their last six meetings with Senegal, with the Teranga Lions’ only victory in this period coming in the form of a 1-0 win on 25 May 2012 in a friendly match.
And while the two nations have clashed in numerous qualifiers and friendlies, tonight will actually be the first time they have faced in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Their most recent meeting came in August of last year, which saw the Atlas Lions win on penalties to book their place in the African Nations Championship final.
Closing ceremony held ahead of kick-off
18:26 , Will CastleThe usual closing ceremony shtick to whet the whistle for the Afcon final that’s to come - we’re just over half an hour away from kick-off!
Ayoub El Kaabi's acrobatic heroics
18:25 , Will CastleMorocco frontman Ayoub El Kaabi has three goals to his name this Afcon - but would you be surprised to hear that two of them have been bicycle kicks?
While he hasn’t been necessarily relied on for goals, with Brahim Diaz taking that mantle, the Olympiacos striker probably boasts the best highlight reel of any player this tournament.
His first bicycle kick came in the Afcon curtain raiser against Comoros, before emulating his exploits in Morocco’s final group win over Zambia.
Surely we won’t see a three-peat tonight... right?
A goal for the history books. 📚
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) December 25, 2025
Ayoub El Kaabi’s bicycle kick, captured from every angle. 🤩🇲🇦#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 | #WePlayDifferent pic.twitter.com/XC1jqUrnCZ
Latest odds
18:20 , Will CastleFootball betting sites think that a Morocco win and a clean sheet is the likeliest outcome at 12/5, and given the hosts home advantage and superb defensive record, we’re inclined to agree.
They also predict that Afcon top scorer Brahim Diaz will stay in the goals to help guide the Atlas Lions to glory, with the bookmakers having the Real Madrid midfielder to score anytime at 3/1
Senegal win - 11/8
Morocco win - 8/13
Cameroon chief Samuel Eto’o hit with four-match ban for alleged Afcon misconduct
18:15 , Will CastleSamuel Eto’o, President of the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT), has been handed a four-match ban by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for alleged misconduct during Cameroon’s 2-0 defeat by hosts Morocco at the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) last Friday.
Eto’o was reportedly seen making an angry gesture over refereeing decisions in the presence of CAF President Patrice Motsepe.
This incident coincided with CAF opening investigations into violent confrontations during AFCON matches, after players from both sides jostled.
CAF’s disciplinary board fined Eto’o $20,000, a decision FECAFOOT immediately criticised as "lacks any explicit justification".
Cameroon chief Samuel Eto’o hit with four-match ban for alleged Afcon misconduct
Senegal bringing the noise
18:10 , Will CastleSenegal fans will do all they can to make tonight’s atmosphere a little less hostile for their players, who face the challenge of crushing a Moroccan dream in enemy territory...
Everyone knows what this means. ✌️
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 18, 2026
Second star energy. 🇸🇳#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/AYJ5dJLIce
A signature scene in Senegal’s stands. The chant train is about to roll. 🚆🎶#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/L5QvJ1pTo6
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 18, 2026
Senegal vs Morocco prediction: Atlas Lions to earn second Afcon title
18:10 , Will CastleThis year’s final pits two under-achieving continental giants against each other, with both Morocco and Senegal having won just one previous Afcon title. Senegal won as recently as 2021, but the Atlas Lions have to go back half a century to their only victory in the competition.
The hosts come into the showpiece event with plenty of expectation on them, partly due to hosting the competition and partly due to their run to the 2022 World Cup semi-finals, which has given them a certain status on the continent even three years later.
The quality of Morocco’s squad also meant they were favourites from an early stage this winter, and they have so far repaid that faith with a string of solid performances on the way to the final.
The narrow win over Tanzania was followed by a professional performance as they breezed past Cameroon, and while the win over Nigeria had to come via penalties, it was the hosts who were by far the better side throughout.
And while Morocco have scored nine goals over their six games so far, it’s their defensive record that’s most impressive, with the Atlas Lions having conceded just once across the entire tournament (in their second match, against Mali).
Read our prediction for tonight’s Afcon final:
Senegal vs Morocco prediction: Diaz to feature as Atlas Lions land famous victory
Both teams bring out big guns
18:08 , Will CastleNo shocks from team news as both sides bring out its biggest hitters for the final.
Sadio Mane, Iliman Ndiaye and Nicolas Jackson bring the threat up front for Senegal, while Morocco will hope Afcon top scorer Brahim Diaz will keep up his firing form on the biggest stage.
Achraf Hakimi will be Morocco’s big star on the right side, with Manchester United’s Noussair Mazraoui and shootout hero Bono also starting for the hosts.
Senegal miss two players due to suspension, with captain Kalidou Koulibaly and midfielder Habib Diarra both receiving yellow cards during the win over Egypt that ruled them out of the final.
CONFIRMED TEAM NEWS!
18:00 , Will CastleSenegal XI: Mendy; Diatta, Sarr, Niakhete, Diouf; I. Gueye, Camara, P. Gueye; Ndiaye, Jackson, Mane.
Morocco XI: Bono; Hakimi, Aguerd, Masina, Mazraoui; El Aynaoui; Diaz, El Khannouss, Saibari, Ezzalzouli; El Kaabi.
The FINAL lineups. 🏆
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 18, 2026
Senegal and Morocco name their starting XIs. 🇸🇳🇲🇦#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/dsVpXPGk7q
Atmosphere building in Rabat
17:50 , Will Castle
Could one of Morocco's star players be bound for the Premier League?
17:40 , Richard JollyEverton are considering Morocco’s Youssef En-Nesyri as David Moyes looks to add more goals to his side, The Independent understands.
They are yet to make a move for the Fenerbahce forward, who is a target for Nottingham Forest, but are interested in the 28-year-old.
But Everton have only had six goals from centre-forwards all season, with Thierno Barry and Beto both on three, and each missed a penalty in the shootout as they exited the FA Cup to Sunderland.
En-Nesyri is a proven scorer who got 30 goals last season for Fenerbahce and 67 in his last four campaigns at Sevilla, who he twice helped win the Europa League.
He also helped Morocco reach this year’s Africa Cup of Nations final, emerging the penalty shootout hero against Nigeria in the last four.
Arne Slot reveals Liverpool open to January sales ahead of Mohamed Salah return
17:27 , Will CastleSticking with Mohamed Salah ahead of his Anfield return, Arne Slot has refused to guarantee that all of Liverpool’s squad will still be at the club when the transfer window closes, saying the Premier League champions will consider the right offer.
Mohamed Salah plunged his future into doubt with an explosive interview last month, though the Egyptian has since returned to contention. He played against Brighton in December and is in discussions with Liverpool as to whether he will be available to face Marseille on Wednesday or Bournemouth next Saturday as he returns from Afcon duty with Egypt.
“I think this club has always shown, similar to bringing players in, that we never say no,” Slot explained. “This club has always shown that if another club makes the right offer, and we think it is the right offer and a good offer – and I don’t include only me, I include the sporting directors and our owners – then we can make a decision we all agree on. But at this moment in time, we are working with the players we have.
“So that is something, you know how this club works, too. Everyone is talking about our £450m spend [last summer] and everyone is forgetting we sold for £300m. And I cannot blame anyone because I think we, Liverpool, are quite an exception to selling. Usually, most Premier League clubs only buy, and that is why it is such an unbelievable accomplishment. It is so well run, this club, so it can perform at the level it has in recent years.”
Slot did insist he was happy that Salah was returning to the fold, hailing his importance to Liverpool.
“I am happy that he comes back,” he said. “Mo has been so important for this club, for me, so I am happy that he is back. Even if I had 15 attackers, I still would have been happy if he came back, but that is not our current situation.”
Arne Slot reveals Liverpool open to January sales ahead of Mohamed Salah return
Who won the third-place play-off?
17:21 , Will CastleNigeria ended their penalty hoodoo to defeat Egypt and claim third place at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday, with Mohamed Salah failing to deliver from the spot.
Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was the hero, brilliantly saving efforts from Salah and Omar Marmoush before Ademola Lookman stepped up to settle the shootout after a goalless draw.
The Super Eagles had looked the better of the sides throughout the contest and had the ball in the net twice, only for both goals to be ruled out.
Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website
