Brahim Díaz’s Missed Panenka Sparks Chaos In AFCON Final

The 2026 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final will be remembered as one of the most chaotic and dramatic showdowns in the tournament’s storied history. With the eyes of the continent—and indeed the world—fixed on Rabat, Morocco and Senegal delivered a spectacle that defied belief, culminating in a penalty miss that left fans, players, and pundits alike in stunned silence.

The build-up to this final was already charged with anticipation. Morocco, led by Real Madrid's Brahim Díaz, had captured hearts throughout the tournament. Díaz, having chosen to represent the Atlas Lions over Spain, entered the final as the competition’s top scorer, his five goals placing him ahead of even Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah. His performances had been nothing short of electric, giving Moroccan fans hope of a historic triumph on home soil.

Senegal, meanwhile, boasted a roster brimming with talent and experience. Sadio Mané, the country’s talisman and former Liverpool star, was at the heart of the team’s unity and resilience. Their path to the final had been marked by determination and tactical discipline, setting the stage for a clash of African football giants.

As the match kicked off in Rabat, both sides played with caution, aware that a single mistake could be fatal. The first 90 minutes were tense, with neither team able to break the deadlock. Yet, the drama that unfolded in stoppage time would overshadow everything that had come before.

With the clock ticking down, Senegal thought they had snatched victory when the ball found the back of Morocco’s net. But jubilation quickly turned to disbelief as the referee, Jean-Jacques Ngambo Ndala, disallowed the goal for a foul on Achraf Hakimi. The decision, made after Hakimi slipped under pressure, was met with howls of protest from the Senegalese players and coaching staff. The stakes had never felt higher.

Moments later, the chaos escalated. During a Moroccan corner, Díaz went down in the box following contact from Senegal defender El Hadji Malick Diouf. Initially, the referee waved play on, but VAR intervened, prompting a pitchside review. After a tense examination, a penalty was awarded to Morocco in the 114th minute. The Senegalese players erupted in fury, feeling a grave injustice had been done. In an extraordinary move, coach Pape Thiaw ordered his players to leave the field, and the majority complied, heading toward the dressing rooms.

For over 15 minutes, confusion reigned. Fans waited anxiously as officials, coaches, and players argued on the sidelines. Sadio Mané played a crucial role, working tirelessly to coax his teammates back onto the pitch. Meanwhile, tempers flared in the stands, and a steward was reportedly injured during scuffles in the Senegal section of the stadium. For a brief moment, it seemed the final might be abandoned altogether.

At last, order was restored. The Senegalese team returned, and the spotlight fell squarely on Brahim Díaz. The Real Madrid midfielder, who had been Morocco’s hero throughout the tournament, now faced the ultimate test of nerve. With the weight of a nation on his shoulders, Díaz stepped up to the spot, his calm exterior belying the pressure of the moment.

What happened next will be debated for years to come. Díaz opted for a panenka—a delicate chip down the center of the goal, a move that, if successful, would have been immortalized in Moroccan football folklore. But Senegal’s goalkeeper, Edouard Mendy, a former Chelsea stalwart, read the attempt perfectly. Mendy stood his ground, catching the ball with ease and crushing Morocco’s hopes of settling the match in regular time.

The stadium fell into an eerie hush. Díaz stood frozen at the penalty spot, hands to his face, the enormity of the miss sinking in. According to multiple reports, he was immediately consoled by coach Walid Regragui and his teammates, all of them in disbelief at the turn of events. The full-time whistle sounded moments later, sending the match into extra time with neither side having found the breakthrough.

Senegal, galvanized by the reprieve, wasted little time in capitalizing on their newfound momentum. Just four minutes into extra time, Villarreal midfielder Pape Gueye unleashed a left-footed rocket into the top corner, giving Senegal a 1-0 lead. The goal sent the Senegalese bench and their fans into raptures, while Moroccan supporters watched in stunned silence.

For Brahim Díaz, the night went from bad to worse. Minutes after Senegal’s opener, he was substituted, walking to the bench with his face buried in his hands. The miss, which could have crowned him a national hero, instead became a moment of heartbreak that will undoubtedly haunt him for years to come. As one report noted, "Diaz was visibly upset after the miss, and the miss overshadowed his earlier contributions in the tournament."

Yet, even in defeat, Díaz’s impact on Morocco’s campaign cannot be understated. Without his goals and creativity, the Atlas Lions would never have reached the final. His decision to represent Morocco over Spain, after growing frustrated with the lack of opportunities under Spain’s head coach Luis de la Fuente, was vindicated by his performances throughout the competition. As some pundits have argued, he still deserves the respect and admiration of Moroccan fans, regardless of the outcome.

The AFCON final’s chaotic scenes—complete with a VAR-reviewed penalty, a mass walk-off, crowd disturbances, and a dramatic penalty miss—will be dissected for years to come. Sadio Mané’s leadership in returning his teammates to the pitch, Edouard Mendy’s composure in goal, and Papa Gueye’s decisive strike all played pivotal roles in shaping the narrative of this unforgettable night.

As the dust settles in Rabat, one thing is clear: the 2026 AFCON final was a contest for the ages, a night when football’s unpredictable drama was on full display. While Senegal’s lead in extra time has put them on the brink of glory, Morocco and Brahim Díaz will be left to ponder what might have been. History was made, legends were forged, and for everyone watching, this was a reminder of why we love the beautiful game.