Morocco Coach Explains Brahim Díaz's Woeful Penalty Miss After AFCON Final Chaos

In a dramatic AFCON 2025 final between Morocco and Senegal, Real Madrid forward Brahim Díaz missed a crucial injury-time penalty, contributing to Morocco's heartbreaking defeat. The incident unfolded in the eighth minute of added time when VAR awarded Morocco a contentious penalty after Senegal's El Hadji Malick Diouf fouled Díaz in the box.^[1]

Chaos ensued as Senegal players, instructed by coach Pape Thiaw, walked off the pitch in protest, leading to a 14-minute delay before they returned. In total, Díaz waited 17 minutes to take the kick, during which a fracas broke out between the teams. Opting for a risky panenka chip, Díaz saw his effort saved effortlessly by Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy.^[1]

Morocco coach Walid Regragui attributed the miss partly to the prolonged wait, stating, "He had a lot of time before taking the penalty which must have disturbed him." He added that Thiaw's actions "doesn't honor Africa" by halting play for over 10 minutes, though he took responsibility: "That doesn't excuse Brahim for the way he hit [the penalty]... we have to own it."^[1]

Video highlights confirm the pandemonium: after the penalty call, Senegal appeared to abandon the match, but Sadio Mané rallied his teammates to return. Díaz's miss forced extra time, where Senegal's Pape Gueye scored the winner in the fourth minute, securing the title.^[1][2]

Despite the agony, Díaz shone in the tournament, clinching the Golden Boot with five goals. Morocco received a fair play award amid the controversy, underscoring the final's embarrassment for African football.^[1] Regragui urged moving forward, accepting the outcome.

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