Senegal were crowned champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after a gritty 1–0 extra-time victory over hosts Morocco in a tense final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
In a contest defined by fine margins, discipline and nerves, the Teranga Lions held firm under intense late pressure to deny Morocco a first AFCON title on home soil.
The breakthrough came in extra time after a mistake proved costly for the hosts. Senegal pounced to score the decisive goal, sending the travelling fans into raptures and silencing a packed Moroccan crowd that had roared their team on for 120 minutes.
Morocco dominated long spells of possession and pushed relentlessly for an equaliser, especially in the closing stages, committing numbers forward as the clock ticked down. Senegal, however, remained compact and organised, soaking up pressure and managing the game expertly in the dying moments.
The hosts came agonisingly close to forcing penalties when Yassine Bounou kept Morocco alive with a crucial save from Pape Gueye’s long-range effort in the 117th minute. Moments later, Senegal almost sealed the game when Cherif Ndiaye missed a glaring chance, sending a rebound wide with the goal at his mercy.
Despite that miss, Senegal held their nerve. As Morocco launched one final assault in stoppage time, the African champions slowed the tempo, kept the ball in advanced areas, and ran down the remaining seconds.
At the final whistle, relief and celebration swept through the Senegalese camp. It was a triumph built on resilience rather than flair, but one that underlined their pedigree on the continental stage.
For Morocco, the defeat was heartbreaking. Roared on by a passionate home crowd, they fell just short of turning dominance into glory.
For Senegal, it was another golden chapter in their AFCON history hard-earned, dramatic, and unforgettable.
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