In a stunning conclusion to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Senegal emerged victorious against tournament hosts Morocco with a 1-0 victory in extra time during Sunday’s championship match. The intensely dramatic final, played in Rabat’s packed stadium, featured a disallowed goal, a crucial missed penalty, and temporary player walk-offs that created unprecedented tension.
President Bassirou Diomaye Faye immediately declared Monday a national holiday in recognition of the historic achievement, triggering spontaneous celebrations across Senegal. In Dakar, thousands of ecstatic supporters gathered at the foot of the African Renaissance Monument, where a massive outdoor screen broadcast the nail-biting match. The tension proved overwhelming for some fans during critical moments, particularly when Moroccan striker Brahim Diaz stepped up for what could have been a tournament-winning penalty.
The emotional rollercoaster continued as Diaz’s missed penalty set the stage for Senegal’s extra-time victory, unleashing waves of jubilation among Senegalese supporters worldwide. “What just happened is divine… a scenario as if it were a Netflix series is crazy,” exclaimed Dakar resident Mohamed Diop, capturing the surreal atmosphere among winning supporters.
Meanwhile, Moroccan fans experienced profound disappointment despite their team’s impressive tournament performance. At fan parks in Sale and among diaspora communities in Eindhoven, supporters expressed shock and devastation at the narrow loss. “Maybe next time,” one resigned Moroccan fan told reporters. “We have good players. Now we should get back to work so we can win in 2027.”
The victory triggered international celebrations from Milan to Paris and New York, where Senegalese diaspora communities poured into the streets. In Paris’s Château Rouge district—known locally as Little Africa—and at a watch party hosted by New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, supporters celebrated deep into the night. “We really needed to win. This team showed me courage and seriousness,” supporter Modou Yacine Diop remarked, specifically praising team captain Sadio Mané’s leadership and contribution to the historic victory.