Senegal win Africa Cup of Nations after walking off pitch amid penalty chaos
Pape Gueye blasted Senegal to Africa Cup of Nations glory after Morocco’s Brahim Diaz missed a stoppage-time penalty as the tournament ended in chaos.
The Villarreal midfielder hammered home an eventful game’s only goal in extra time to secure the continental crown for the second time, but only after Real Madrid star Diaz had wasted a glorious, if controversial, opportunity to win it for the hosts when he directed his panenka attempt straight at keeper Edouard Mendy.
A highly competitive 90 minutes at Rabat’s Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah was short on genuine chances, and it was not added time that the fireworks really began.
Substitute Ismaila Sarr thought he had won it for Senegal until Ndala ruled out his header for a foul by Abdoulaye Seck, and the the drama continued when, having been advised to review Malick Diouf’s challenge on Diaz, the referee pointed to the spot, prompting a furious Thiaw to send most of his players to the dressing room.
Thiaw’s men, fuelled by a sense of injustice, regrouped and forced their way in front when Gueye surged forward and blasted a left-foot piledriver past Bounou and in off the underside of the crossbar.
Bounou denied Cherif Ndiaye a second with a stunning double save and Gueye’s contribution ultimately proved decisive.