Pape Gueye’s stunner in additional time secured Senegal a second Africa Cup of Nations success after a dramamtic and controversial 1-0 victory over host nation Morocco.
Gueye’s thunderbolt within the fourth minute of additional time settled a last that was full of controversy.
It got here after dramatic scenes in stoppage time of regular time when Senegal coach Pape Thiaw, who was additionally angered by a disallowed aim for his facet, took his Senegal gamers off the sphere following the choice to award the Atlas Lions a controversial last-gasp penalty.
Substitute Ismaila Sarr thought he had gained it for Senegal till referee Jean-Jacques Ndala dominated out his header for a foul by Abdoulaye Seck on Achraf Hakimi, and the the drama continued into the final minute of the scheduled eight minutes of added time when, having been suggested to assessment Malick Diouf’s problem on Diaz, the referee pointed to the spot, prompting a livid Thiaw to ship most of his gamers to the dressing room.
Chaos ensued at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat with no-one notably understanding how the sport was going to finish as Senegal quickly refused to complete the sport.
With the clock nonetheless working, after some encouragement from Sadio Mane, the Senegal gamers re-emerged within the twentieth minute of stoppage time however extremely, Diaz, who was the match’s main scorer with 5 targets, noticed his weakly tried Panenka penalty saved by goalkeeper Edouard Mendy as Morocco spurned the prospect of a primary continental title in 50 years.
I am unsure I’ve seen a extra dramatic turnaround in a significant cup last. Morocco have been one kick away from being the champions. Brahim Diaz. Extraordinary.
It despatched the ultimate to additional time and Thiaw’s males, fuelled by a way of injustice, regrouped and compelled their manner in entrance when Gueye surged ahead and blasted a left-foot piledriver previous Bounou and into the highest nook.
Bounou went on to disclaim Cherif Ndiaye a second with a shocking double save however Gueye’s contribution in the end proved decisive for Senegal.
Kalidou Koulibaly, who was suspended for the ultimate however celebrated together with his staff in full equipment, was given the Africa Cup of Nations trophy by FIFA president Gianni Infantino however handed it to Mane, who fittingly lifted it in what might have been his last look for Senegal at AFCON.
In photos: AFCON last descends into chaos…
Despair for host nation Morocco
Senegal’s Pape Gueye celebrates after scoring
Brahim Diaz missed his Panenka penalty
The managers have been deep in dialogue because the Senegal gamers left the sphere
Diouf was adjudged to have fouled Diaz within the penalty space
Mane the peacemaker – ‘That reveals the nice man he’s’
Sadio Mane is hoisted aloft by his team-mates
When his team-mates returned to the dressing room, it was notable that Sadio Mane was the participant who stayed out.
He was the one who appeared to get the Senegal gamers again out onto the pitch in order that the sport might end.
The previous Liverpool ahead additionally went over to the Senegal followers at full-time to calm them down as hassle threatened to escalate on the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
“He went back to the dressing room and brought those players back,” former Morocco worldwide Hassan Kachloul mentioned on E4.
“That shows the great man he is.
“Africa soccer was dropping and world soccer was dropping. Sadio Mane was the person to carry them again on.”
Diaz’s ‘nightmare’ second
Whereas it was pleasure for Senegal it was despair for Morocco – and specifically Brahim Diaz.
One of many stars of the match with 5 targets and ending as the highest scorer, his AFCON will now be remembered for that Panenka penalty miss.
Described on social media as a candiate for the worst penalty in soccer historical past, Diaz was left visibly shocked and he had tears in his eyes as he completed the sport on the bench.
Will probably be a second he’ll replay in his thoughts over and over within the coming weeks.
“To do that it spoils everything Brahim Diaz has done well in this tournament,” former Nigeria captain John Obi Mike mentioned on E4.
“He is going to be devastated. This is going to be tough on him, for weeks, for months.”
Kachoul added: “I think Brahim Diaz is going to have a lot of nightmares in the coming days, but that is part of football life.
“Diaz should have modified his thoughts a couple of occasions earlier than kicking that ball. Sadly for Morocco, they paid the value.”
