Senegal Wins Second AFCON in Dramatic Final

RABAT, Xinhua: Senegal won its second Africa Cup of Nations title on Sunday, beating host Morocco 1-0 after extra time in a final that was interrupted late in regulation after Brahim Diaz missed a penalty.

Controversy erupted deep in stoppage time when Diaz went down in the area and the referee awarded a spot kick after a lengthy on-field VAR review.

Senegal players protested the decision and walked off the pitch as brawls broke out among fans in the stands. After an almost 20-minute suspension, play resumed and the penalty award stood.

Diaz had the chance to be Morocco’s hero, but his Panenka attempt went straight at former Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. Senegal then struck three minutes into extra time as Pape Gueye powered forward through a shoulder-to-shoulder challenge and blasted home the winner in the 93rd minute.

Senegal reached the final by beating Egypt 1-0 in the semifinals on Sadio Mane’s daisy-cutter, while Morocco eliminated Nigeria on penalties.

Senegal started brightly and nearly went ahead in the fourth minute when Gueye’s header at the back post was parried by Yassine Bounou, who then stuck out a leg to deny Iliman Ndiaye after a solo run.

Morocco went close in the 57th minute, but Ayoub El Kaabi fired wide from close range.

Senegal thought it had scored in the 89th minute through Abdoulaye Seck’s header, but the goal was ruled out for a foul on Achraf Hakimi in the build-up.

Morocco almost equalized in extra time as Nayef Aguerd’s header from a corner struck the crossbar, while Bounou made another save at the other end to keep out Ndiaye’s effort.

On Saturday, Nigeria beat Egypt 4-2 on penalties after a goalless 90 minutes to claim the bronze.