In one of the most tumultuous nights in African football history, Senegal wins chaotic AFCON 2026 final, defeating hosts Morocco 1-0 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. The match, played under torrential rain on Sunday, January 18, will be remembered less for the football and more for a stunning 10-minute walk-off protest by the Senegalese squad, a heroic penalty save by Edouard Mendy, and Pape Gueye's breathless 114th-minute winner. The victory secures the Lions of Teranga their second consecutive Africa Cup of Nations title, cementing their status as the continent's undisputed kings.

A Final Marred by Controversy and Protest

The 2026 AFCON final was poised to be a classic tactical battle between Walid Regragui’s Morocco and Pape Thiaw’s Senegal. However, the game descended into anarchy in the 88th minute. With the score locked at 0-0, the referee awarded a controversial penalty to Morocco following a VAR review for a handball in the box. Incensed by the decision—and claiming a foul in the build-up—the Senegal players, led by their technical bench, staged an unprecedented AFCON walk-off protest.

For nearly ten minutes, the pitch was empty of Senegalese players as confusion reigned in the stands and millions watched in shock worldwide. "We shouldn't have reacted like that, but it's done. We apologize to football," Senegal coach Pape Thiaw admitted in the post-match press conference. "In the heat of the moment, the sense of injustice was overwhelming." The team eventually returned to the field, facing a hostile home crowd and a penalty kick that could have ended their reign.

Edouard Mendy’s Penalty Save Turns the Tide

Upon the restart, the weight of a nation rested on the shoulders of Morocco’s penalty taker, but the moment belonged to Edouard Mendy. The Al-Ahli goalkeeper, who has faced criticism over his form in recent seasons, produced the defining moment of the match. Diving low to his right, Mendy denied the spot-kick, silencing the deafening Rabat crowd and keeping Senegal’s hopes alive.

The Edouard Mendy penalty save did more than just prevent a goal; it shifted the psychological momentum entirely. Morocco, visibly shaken by the delay and the missed opportunity, struggled to regain their rhythm as the match drifted into extra time. Senegal, galvanized by their goalkeeper’s heroics and perhaps fueled by their earlier frustration, began to dominate the physical battles in the wet conditions.

Morocco’s Missed Opportunities

Despite the penalty heartbreak, Morocco had chances to seal the Africa Cup of Nations 2026 winner title. Yassine Bounou kept the Atlas Lions in the game with a string of world-class saves, denying Nicolas Jackson and Iliman Ndiaye in quick succession. However, the hosts looked increasingly leggy in extra time, unable to break down a resolute Senegalese defense marshaled by the indomitable Kalidou Koulibaly.

Pape Gueye Strikes the Decisive Blow

As the clock ticked toward the 114th minute and a penalty shootout loomed, the drama reached its climax. A quick counter-attack led by Ismaila Sarr found Pape Gueye surging from midfield. The Villarreal midfielder, known for his box-to-box energy, unleashed a thunderous left-footed drive from the edge of the area that skidded off the wet turf and past the despairing dive of Bounou.

The Pape Gueye winning goal sparked wild celebrations on the Senegalese bench, contrasting sharply with the stunned silence of the home supporters. It was a goal worthy of winning any tournament, cutting through the tension and controversy to deliver a moment of pure footballing brilliance. "I didn't think, I just hit it," Gueye told reporters. "After everything that happened tonight, we knew we couldn't leave without the trophy."

Senegal: Back-to-Back Champions of Africa

With the final whistle, Senegal back-to-back champions became a reality. Defending the crown they won in the previous edition, the Lions of Teranga have established a dynasty that rivals the great Egyptian and Cameroonian teams of the past. This victory, however, will always be asterisked by the chaos of the walk-off, a talking point that is likely to dominate global football discussions for weeks.

For Morocco, the defeat on home soil is a bitter pill to swallow, marking another near-miss in their quest for a second continental title. For Senegal, the Senegal vs Morocco highlights will replay a story of resilience, defiance, and ultimate triumph. As the trophy heads back to Dakar, the 2026 final will go down as arguably the most dramatic and chaotic conclusion in the 69-year history of the tournament.