Brahim Diaz's attempt at a Panenka penalty when he lobbed the ball straight into the goalkeeper's arms with the last kick of standard time was one of the shocking moments of this AFCON tournament.
It all happened when Referee Jean Jacques Ngambo gave Morocco a last-minute penalty for a foul on Diaz after a VAR check. This came minutes after Senegal's goal was denied for an alleged push, which VAR did not review. However, Diaz missed the Penalty and Senegal scored in Extra Time, winning the AFCON.
Pape Gueye scored in extra time for the Teranga Lions to beat host Morocco 1-0 in a chaotic final on Sunday, which at one point saw fans trying to storm the field and Senegal's players walking off the pitch to protest a penalty decision deep into second-half stoppage time.
Senegal Stage Walkout VS Morocco, Sadio Mane Calls Players Back; Brahim Díaz Misses Controversial Penalty - Watch
Thereafter, Diaz could not stop his tears even after receiving his golden boot award.
"After the final whistle, Díaz was inconsolable. According to reports from inside the Moroccan camp, the forward addressed his teammates in the dressing room to apologise for the missed penalty before breaking down emotionally," stated a report by Indykaila on X.
The Moroccan players were devastated after the match, and Diaz was seen in tears as Senegal lifted the trophy.
The 26-year-old's tame penalty even led to suggestions online that he had deliberately missed in response to Senegal's fury over the decision.
But Morocco manager Regragui said: 'He had a lot of time before taking the penalty, which must have disturbed him.
'But we can't change what happened. That is how he chose to take the penalty. We need to look forward now.'
Mendy was asked about his interaction he had with Diaz before the penalty miss and said: 'What did we say to each other? That's between us.
'We did it together and we came back together, that's all that matters. We can be proud tonight.'
'He is going to be devastated. This is going to be tough on him, for weeks, for months.'
Former Morocco international Hassan Kachloul added: 'I think Brahim Diaz is going to have a lot of nightmares in the coming days, but that is part of football life.
'Diaz must have changed his mind a few times before kicking that ball. Unfortunately for Morocco, they paid the price.'
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