Trent Alexander-Arnold's live reaction to team-mate's missed AFCON penalty spoke volumes
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Echo or go back to LFC Live.
Trent Alexander-Arnold's Live Reaction to Teammate Brahim Díaz's Missed AFCON Penalty
In the dramatic Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final between Senegal and Morocco, Real Madrid right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold captured global attention with his stunned reaction to teammate Brahim Díaz's crucial penalty miss[1][2][3].
The match, etched in history for its chaos, saw Senegal's late goal harshly disallowed in stoppage time, leading to a controversial penalty award for Morocco. Outraged, Senegal manager Pape Thiaw ordered his players off the pitch in protest, causing a delay of over 10-15 minutes. Sadio Mané reportedly convinced the team to return, but the penalty stood. Díaz, representing Morocco, stepped up with a chance to secure the title after 50 years[1][2].
Watching live on Twitch with his brother Marcel, Alexander-Arnold was asked which way Díaz would go. "I actually don’t know, genuinely. I’ve never even seen him take one," the Englishman replied, showing his uncertainty[1]. Díaz opted for a tame chipped effort, which Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy easily saved, denying Morocco victory[1][2][3].
Alexander-Arnold's response was priceless: he grabbed his face in shock, leaped from his chair, and dove off-screen, while his brother exclaimed, "My God!" The clip went viral on social media, with fans joking, "Trent in the mirror he’s literally standing there in disbelief" and "He had to leave the room"[2][3].
Senegal advanced to extra time, where Pape Gueye scored the winner for a 1-0 triumph, clinching their second AFCON title. Gueye later spoke of the "feeling of injustice," crediting Mané for remobilizing the team and Mendy's save[2]. Mendy dismissed rumors of an intentional miss, insisting, "He wanted to score and I deserve credit for stopping him"[1].
Díaz now faces a quick return to Real Madrid action, with a Champions League clash against Monaco looming, potentially shaking off the heartbreak at Villarreal[1]. Alexander-Arnold's raw reaction spoke volumes about the miss's impact on his clubmate.
(Word count: 298)