After 51 games, a record 120 goals, a dramatic group stage and an epic knockout phase, tonight the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations reaches its conclusion as the showpiece final pits Senegal against Morocco at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. A tournament that started just before Christmas with 24 teams comes down to the final two, both bidding to double their number of AFCON titles.
It's a third AFCON final in seven years for Senegal after they got the better of Egypt in Wednesday's semi-final. Winners of the 2021 edition, the Lions of Teranga have conceded just twice this tournament but will be without defensive lynchpin and captain Kalidou Koulibaly through suspension in what is a massive blow.
Morocco, meanwhile, beat Nigeria on penalties to reach their first AFCON final since 2004, though it's nearly 50 years since they were crowned champions of Africa. The omens are, perhaps, in favour of the Atlas Lions as the last three host nations to reach the final have won the tournament, most recently Ivory Coast in 2023. Follow the Africa Cup of Nations final LIVE below with Standard Sport's dedicated match blog!
Senegal vs Morocco latest news
- GOAL! Gueye fires Senegal ahead in extra-time
- BRAHIM DIAZ MISSES STOPPAGE TIME PENALTY
- SENEGAL PLAYERS WALK OFF
- PENALTY TO MOROCCO
- NO GOAL! Senegal denied late winner
Senegal 1-0 Morocco
21:54 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne120+2 min: Senegal have the ball deep in Morocco’s half. That is not where the host nation want to be as the clock is ticking away.
Senegal 1-0 Morocco
21:53 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne120 min: Board goes up, three minutes of stoppage time!
Senegal 1-0 Morocco
21:51 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne118 min: Senegal into defensive mode with less than two minutes to play. Can Morocco find an equaliser to send this AFCON final to penalties?
Senegal 1-0 Morocco
21:49 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne116 min: Clever play from Senegal from the corner but Targhalline is alert and concedes another corner which is cleared to Gueye who catches a volley sweetly but his attempt is wide.
Senegal 1-0 Morocco
21:48 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne115 min: Rain pouring down in Rabat. We’ve literally had everything in this AFCON final.
Gueye stings the arms of Bounou with a fierce effort from range.
Senegal 1-0 Morocco
21:46 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne114 min: There’s going to be more drama, right?
Senegal 1-0 Morocco
21:44 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne111 min: WHAT A MISS!
The goal is gaping for Cherif Ndiaye to wrap up the game after seeing his initial effort saved but the Senegal man, somehow, puts his effort well wide of the post.
Senegal 1-0 Morocco
21:41 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne108 min: CROSSBAR!
Oh how close can you get? Aguerd with a great header but the woodwork comes to Senegal’s rescue.
Senegal 1-0 Morocco
21:39 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne107 min: El Yamiq, off balance, fires wide after Hakimi’s corner had fallen to him.
Senegal 1-0 Morocco
21:38 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne106 min: Defensive change by Senegal as Jakobs has replaced Diouf.
Senegal 1-0 Morocco
21:38 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBack underway in extra-time.
Senegal 1-0 Morocco
21:37 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneSeeing a replay of the Brahim Diaz penalty. What was he thinking?
Senegal 1-0 Morocco
21:35 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThere goes the whistle. Half-time in extra-time.
Senegal 1-0 Morocco
21:34 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne105 min: WHAT A BLOCK!
Hakimi comes across to stop Mbaye scoring one of the goals of the tournament.
Senegal 1-0 Morocco
21:33 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne104 min: What a cross from Ezzalzouli on the run, but En-Nesyri heads wide from just in front of the front post.
Senegal 1-0 Morocco
21:30 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne102 min: Mendy is down yet again, but this time he was caught by Igamane following a clearance. The Morocco man has come off worse in the challenge.
Senegal 1-0 Morocco
21:29 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne100 min: Mendy needs some attention after a clash with En-Nesyri. Think the Senegal keeper is just playing for time here, not a great deal of contact.
Senegal 1-0 Morocco
21:26 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne98 min: Mazraoui and Diaz make way for Morocco.
Senegal 1-0 Morocco
21:25 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne96 min: Honestly, never seen anything like this. Ten minutes ago, the Senegal players and staff were staging a protest, now they lead!
GOAL! Senegal 1-0 Morocco | Pape Gueye ‘94
21:23 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne94 min: SENEGAL LEAD!
Pape Gueye slams Senegal in front with a superb strike into the top corner.
Deadlock broken in extra-time.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
21:19 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne91 min: Extra-time underway in Rabat.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
21:16 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneA panenka effort is missed by Brahim Diaz. And we are going to extra-time.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
21:15 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90+22 min: Right then, Brahim Diaz places the ball on the spot, takes a couple of steps back...
Runs up to the ball and MISSES!
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
21:11 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe Senegal players have now returned.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
21:11 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWe were supposed to have eight minutes of stoppage time, we are now in the 109th minute. A really sad end to the AFCON final, not a great look for African football after such a superb tournament.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
21:09 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneSadio Mane is urging his team-mates to return to the pitch.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
21:08 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90+15 min: Not sure what Thiaw is hoping to achieve here.
Well, well, the Senegal players are leaving the pitch!
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
21:03 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90+12 min: Hold on a minute, Pape Thiaw is ordering his Senegal players off the pitch.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
21:02 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90+10 min: Referee needs to gain control of this, both sets of players arguing.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
21:01 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90+9 min: Senegal players are raging at that decision. The yellow card has been brandished a few times. Diouf is distraught.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
20:59 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90+7 min: Diouf does pull Diaz to the ground, here comes the decision...PENALTY!
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
20:58 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90+6 min: Brahim Diaz is enraged by something, he wants a penalty and there will be a VAR check.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
20:55 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90+4 min: Changes for both sides as Jackson and Saibari make way.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
20:54 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90+2 min: Senegal have the ball in the back of the net, but the goal will not count. Seck penalised for a foul on Hakimi.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
20:53 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90+1 min: Into eight minutes of stoppage time as El Yamiq makes a superb clearance. Senegal really forcing the issue.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
20:51 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne89 min: Very nearly a late sting in the tale as Mbaye does well to dig the ball out of his feet and looks to curl one into the far corner but Bounou is equal to it.
Then at the other end, Ezzalzouli shoots over.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
20:50 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne88 min: El Yamiq replaces Masina. The Morocco defender looks gutted to be coming off.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
20:48 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne87 min: Decent opening for Senegal as Mane sweeps the ball out wide. The ball eventually falls to Gueye on the edge of the box but he rushes his attempt and it bobbles wide.
Masina down in the Morocco box now.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
20:43 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne81 min: Into the final ten minutes in the AFCON final, but there will be a considerable amount of injury time tagged on for the delay when El Aynaoui and Diouf had a clash of heads.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
20:42 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne80 min: Double Morocco change sees Targhalline and En-Nesyri replace El Khannouss and El Kaabi.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
20:39 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne78 min: Those changes by Senegal suggest they want to get this game done inside 90 minutes.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
20:38 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne76 min: Triple Senegal change!
ON: Mbaye, Sarr and Seck
OFF: Mendy, Camara and Ndiaye
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
20:36 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne74 min: El Aynaoui is ready to continue. Not sure how wise that is considering he took a massive blow to the head and lost a considerable amount of blood.
Big cheers as he returns.
Play restarts with a Morocco corner which comes to nothing.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
20:33 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne71 min: It’s not looking good for El Aynaoui. He’s lost a lot of blood as he is bandaged up. Shades of Terry Butcher!
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
20:28 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne66 min: Ooof, that is nasty. Clash of heads between El Aynaoui and Diouf at a corner, there is blood pouring from the Morocco midfielder’s head.
Hope the pair are alright, El Aynaoui is in a much worse condition.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
20:24 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne63 min: Morocco open up Senegal again following a slack giveaway, Diaz slides in El Kaabi but his attempt is blocked by Sarr before Ezzalzouli curls the rebound past the far post.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
20:22 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne60 min: El Kaabi did everything right, letting the ball roll across his body but just didn’t make the right contact with his left foot. Huge chance for Morocco.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
20:20 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne58 min: CHANCE!
Morocco should be ahead as El Khannouss picks out El Kaabi in the middle but the forward fluffs his lines. Fails to even hit the target.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
20:18 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne56 min: This final is ebbing and flowing as Senegal are on top now. Mane wins a corner after Diouf’s cross into a dangerous area is cleared by the Morocco defence.
Senegal can’t make the most of the corner as Gueye’s acrobatic attempt is caught easily by Bounou.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
20:16 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne54 min: Jackson stretches the Morocco defence with a run in behind. However, Senegal’s attack is halted after Mazraoui gets struck in the face, accidentally.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
20:14 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne52 min: Ezzalzouli is blocked off by Mendy and Morocco have a free-kick in a promising position. Can they make something from this?
No, as Hakimi fires an effort straight into the wall.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
20:12 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne50 min: Very good header, under pressure, from Diouf as El Kaabi was waiting behind him. Morocco keep up the pressure with successive corners but Senegal defend them well.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
20:08 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne46 min: No changes for either side at the break. Looking at both benches, Senegal just shade it in terms of stronger options.
KICK-OFF!
20:06 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBack underway in Rabat!
Fan thoughts
20:03 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThese Senegalese have lost golden chances that could haunt them later
— David Arowojolu (@Its_superdave) January 18, 2026
That last effort before halftime could have been a goal, release a pass, but he went for goal straight #AFCON2025#AFCON2025FINAL
Fan reaction
19:58 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneIncredible first half. Anticipating more action in the second half. What a game!#AFCON2025 #SENMAR #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025
— Rekot (@Rekot001) January 18, 2026
Fan reaction
19:55 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne2 massive Bono saves in 1st 37 mins #AFCONFinal pic.twitter.com/LERx53a9kb
— Mr7 (@adrakwalichai1) January 18, 2026
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
19:51 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneTwo massive saves from Yassine Bounou means it's goalless at the break in the Africa Cup of Nations final.
HALF-TIME!
19:51 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThere goes the whistle.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
19:50 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne45+3 min: Good play from Ndiaye as he nudges the ball to Camara who elects to shoot instead of passing and his effort is blocked. Morocco then race up the other end and win a corner after Saibari’s placed effort was blocked.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
19:46 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne45 min: Into four minutes of stoppage time as Masina makes a great recovery challenge to stop Mane and concede a corner.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
19:44 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne44 min: How about this for a save! Iliman Ndiaye must have thought he had given Senegal the lead.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
19:41 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne41 min: Don’t think Ndiaye did anything wrong there, it’s just a superb save from Bounou. Anyways, corner for Senegal to defend and they deal with the initial cross.
Ezzalzouli then puts in a great cross but Aguerd can’t make contact from close range. That is the closest Morocco have come to scoring.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
19:38 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne37 min: CHANCE!
Fantastic move from Senegal as Jackson switches the play to Ndiaye and he is clean through, goes for the far corner but Bounou makes a stunning save with his legs.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
19:37 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne36 min: Bit of an issue for Iliman Ndiaye now. The Everton man requires a bit of treatment on his right foot. Looks OK to carry on though.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
19:34 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne34 min: Senegal fans are vastly outnumbered here but they are making their voices heard loud and clear. Incredible noise!
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
19:33 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne32 min: Ezzalzouli overcooks the cross and the Senegal defenders watch the ball drift out of play. Anti-climatic to say the least.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
19:32 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne31 min: Ndiaye catches Mazraoui late and Morocco are awarded a free-kick in a promising position. Host nation scored twice from set-pieces in the quarter-final win over Cameroon.
Ezzalzouli to take...
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
19:28 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne27 min: What a waste that is. Lamine Camara overhits a free-kick, letting Morocco off the hook.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
19:24 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne24 min: The first yellow card of the AFCON final goes to Senegal as Lamine Camara goes into the book. On replay, it’s a harsh decision as the midfielder made no contact with El Aynaoui.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
19:21 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne21 min: Once again, Gueye gets caught in possession and Morocco break. However, El Kaabi delays his pass for Saibari and the forward is caught offside prior to lifting an effort over the bar.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
19:19 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne19 min: Ndiaye for Senegal against Mazraoui for Morocco is shaping up to be a key battle. So far, it’s even between the Everton and Manchester United stars.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
19:18 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne17 min: Problem here for Lamine Camara. The last thing Senegal need is an injury problem after what happened in the warm-up with Krepin Diatta.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
19:16 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne16 min: Great play all around. First, Saibari pinches the ball of Gueye before Senegal manage to hold up the Morocco attacker and then Mendy gets his body in between man and ball to shield it out for a goal-kick.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
19:14 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne14 min: Saibari is allowed to carry the ball a long way, right through the middle of the Senegal team. He gets inside the area but slashes his effort well wide.
Should be testing Mendy from there.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
19:12 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne13 min: Big night for Mamadou Sarr, filling in for Kalidou Koulibaly, he gets his head to a free-kick but can’t direct an effort towards goal.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
19:11 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne12 min: So close to the opening goal in the AFCON final.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
19:10 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne10 min: Morocco starting to get a foothold in this final. Ezzalzouli has beaten Mendy for pace down the left-hand side and his cross into a dangerous area had to be cleared by Diouf.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
19:09 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne8 min: The Africa Cup of Nations trophy! Which captain will be lifting it later this evening?
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
19:05 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne5 min: Strong start by Senegal as Mane manages to win a corner down the left-hand side. Early opportunity for the West African nation and the cross finds Gueye at the back post but Bounou makes a superb save!
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
19:04 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne4 min: Mane goes to ground but the referee says no foul and that allows Morocco to break forward with Hakimi but Senegal get enough players back to see out the danger.
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
19:02 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne2 min: Morocco in their changed strip of all-white for the AFCON final this evening. Senegal all in green and are being whistled when in possession.
KICK-OFF!
19:00 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWe are underway at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
Who will come out on top in the Africa Cup of Nations final?
We are about to find out!
AFCON final live
18:57 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWow! The passion from the Morocco players, staff and supporters for the national anthem was something else.
This just highlights the task facing Senegal this evening.
AFCON final live
18:55 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneFirstly, the national anthems for both teams.
HERE WE GO!
18:53 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe teams are out at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium!
AFCON final live
18:53 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe Africa Cup of Nations trophy has been brought out. This is what both teams are playing for this evening.
ISHOWSPEED is here!
18:50 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe official mascot for the AFCON 2025 final!
We have a new mascot for today’s final: ISHOWSPEED.🤩#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/R8K1MysRKF
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 18, 2026
Kick-off approaching in Rabat
18:45 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne15 minutes to go until kick-off in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final.
Morocco route
18:40 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe host nation’s run to the final is as follows.
Group phase
Morocco 2-0 Comoros
Morocco 1-1 Mali
Zambia 0-3 Morocco
Round of 16
Morocco 1-0 Tanzania
Quarter-final
Cameroon 0-2 Morocco
Semi-final
Nigeria 0-0 Morocco (Morocco win 4-2 on pens)
Senegal route
18:38 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHere is how the 2021 AFCON winners reached this year's final.
Group phase
Senegal 3-0 Botswana
Senegal 1-1 DR Congo
Benin 0-3 Senegal
Round of 16
Senegal 3-1 Sudan
Quarter-final
Mali 0-1 Senegal
Semi-final
Senegal 1-0 Egypt
AFCON highlights
18:35 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneCertainly one of the best Africa Cup of Nations tournaments in recent memory.
Will we get a final that lives up to the billing?
We played it different. We lived it different. ❤️
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 17, 2026
One more night. One champion. The #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 Final awaits. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/BFR1SzpwOY
Team news reminder
18:30 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHere is how both teams will line-up for the Africa Cup of Nations final!
Senegal XI: Mendy; Mendy, Niakhate, Sarr, Diouf, Diatta, Gueye, Camara, Ndiaye, Mane, Jackson
Substitutes: Diouf, Diaw, Mendy, Seck, Jakobs, Sarr, Ciss, Camara, Mbaye, Sarr, Ndiaye, Dia, Diallo, Niang, Sabaly.
Morocco XI: Bounou; Hakimi, Mazraoui, Aguerd, Diaz, Saibari, Ezzalzouli, El Kaabi, El Khannouss, El Aynaoui, Masina.
Substitutes: Mohamedi, Al Harrar, Amrabat, Igamane, Rahimi, Targhalline, Chibi, Salah-Eddine, Ait Boudlal, Belammari.
AFCON closing ceremony
18:28 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneSome shots from the Africa Cup of Nations closing ceremony, including an appearance from Idris Elba.
Fan reaction
18:25 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneOh Senegal please do it for the continent 🇸🇳 #AFCON2025
— Tumi (@dTumza) January 18, 2026
Fan reaction
18:22 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneTeam Teranga Lions, go for gold boys; you can do it right in their home. #AFCON2025 #SENMAR #AFCONFinal
— Pa Noëllië (Widad'dy) (@Jetlibaba) January 18, 2026
Fan reaction
18:20 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe whole of West Africa is with Senegal tonight isn’t it????? #AFCON2025
— kenny (@_el_nino19) January 18, 2026
Senegal team in full
18:15 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneSenegal XI: Mendy; Mendy, Niakhate, Sarr, Diouf, Diatta, Gueye, Camara, Ndiaye, Mane, Jackson
Substitutes: Diouf, Diaw, Mendy, Seck, Jakobs, Sarr, Ciss, Camara, Mbaye, Sarr, Ndiaye, Dia, Diallo, Niang, Sabaly.
Morocco team in full
18:10 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneMorocco XI: Bounou; Hakimi, Mazraoui, Aguerd, Diaz, Saibari, Ezzalzouli, El Kaabi, El Khannouss, El Aynaoui, Masina.
Substitutes: Mohamedi, Al Harrar, Amrabat, Igamane, Rahimi, Targhalline, Chibi, Salah-Eddine, Ait Boudlal, Belammari.
CONFIRMED SENEGAL TEAM NEWS
18:05 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHere is the Senegal team to face Morocco...
📋 Notre onze de départ contre le Maroc pour la finale de la CAN 2025.
— Equipe du Sénégal (@GaindeYi) January 18, 2026
⏰ Coup d’envoi du match : 19h00 GMT
📺 A suivre en direct sur la RTS1 pic.twitter.com/QA2HGkGMnF
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