Senegal were crowned champions of Africa for the second time in their history after edging hosts Morocco 1–0 in extra time in a pulsating Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat.

The decisive moment arrived just three minutes into extra time when Pape Gueye unleashed a ferocious left-footed strike from the edge of the box, igniting wild celebrations on the Senegalese bench and plunging a packed stadium into stunned silence.

It was a cruel blow for Morocco, who had been within touching distance of glory moments earlier. Deep into stoppage time, the Atlas Lions were awarded a penalty following a VAR review, only for Edward Mendy to deny Brahim Díaz from the spot, forcing the final beyond regulation.

From the opening whistle, the contest unfolded as a tense duel of ambition and belief. Morocco were chasing a first continental crown in over five decades, while Senegal were determined to reclaim the title they first lifted in 2021.

The Teranga Lions settled quicker and dictated much of the early tempo, carving out the clearer openings in the first half. Yassine Bounou was called into action early, reacting sharply to keep out Gueye’s back-post header before producing a superb one-on-one save to frustrate Iliman Ndiaye.

Morocco’s best chance before the break arrived five minutes from half-time when Nayef Aguerd narrowly failed to connect with Abdessamad Ezzalzouli’s dangerous cross that flashed across the face of goal.

The hosts emerged after the interval with renewed urgency. Ayoub El Kaabi was handed a golden opportunity when Bilal El Khannouss split the Senegal defence with a perfectly weighted pass, but the forward dragged his effort off target.

Wave after wave of Moroccan pressure followed, yet the final touch continually deserted them. Senegal, meanwhile, remained a constant threat on the counter and almost snatched victory late in normal time when substitute Ibrahim Mbaye curled a teasing effort towards the far corner, forcing Bounou into another full-stretch save in the 89th minute.

With the deadlock unbroken after 90 minutes, extra time beckoned, and Senegal wasted little time asserting themselves. A turnover in midfield saw Sadio Mané cleverly back-heel into the path of Idrissa Gana Gueye, who released Pape Gueye. Showing strength, composure and conviction, the midfielder surged to the edge of the area before rifling an unstoppable strike beyond Bounou.

Morocco threw everything forward in desperate search of an equaliser. Díaz nearly atoned for his penalty miss with a close-range effort brilliantly saved by Mendy, while Youssef En-Nesyri came agonisingly close with a diving header that drifted inches wide.

Senegal could even have doubled their advantage late on, but Bounou again denied Pape Cherif Ndiaye from point-blank range, with the rebound also squandered.

In the end, the Teranga Lions stood firm, defending with discipline, maturity and belief to close out a famous victory, sealing their second AFCON crown and reaffirming their status among Africa’s footballing elite.