Rabat, Morocco – The atmosphere at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium was electric on Sunday night, but for Brahim Diaz, the memory will likely be a painful one as his missed penalty cost Morocco the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final against Senegal. The Real Madrid star was visibly distraught after his audacious "Panenka" attempt was easily saved by Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy in the 114th minute.
The match was already steeped in controversy before Diaz stepped up to the spot. Deep into added time, referee Jean-Jacques Ngambo Ndala awarded Morocco a penalty after Diaz went down in the box following contact from El Hadji Malick Diouf. The decision sparked a furious reaction from the Senegalese players and staff, who felt aggrieved by the call. So intense was the protest that the entire Senegal team initially walked off the pitch, causing a lengthy delay of approximately 14 minutes.
After much deliberation and intervention, the Senegalese team returned to the field, allowing Diaz to take the potentially match-winning penalty. With the weight of a nation on his shoulders, Diaz opted for a risky "Panenka" – a chipped shot down the middle of the goal. However, his execution was poor, and Mendy easily collected the мяч, sending the Moroccan fans into despair.
Adding insult to injury, Pape Gueye scored for Senegal in the first half of extra time, giving his side a 1-0 lead that they would maintain until the final whistle. The final score was Senegal 1, Morocco 0. Diaz was substituted shortly after his miss and was seen on the bench, overcome with emotion as the game slipped away. Teammates and staff members consoled the distraught player, who had been one of Morocco'sstandout performers throughout the tournament.
The miss has sparked debate, with some observers questioning Diaz's decision to attempt such a high-risk penalty in such a crucial moment. Some have even outrageously suggested that Diaz missed the penalty on purpose as a sign of fair play, given the controversial circumstances surrounding the penalty award and a disallowed Senegal goal. However, these claims remain unsubstantiated.
Despite the agonizing end, Morocco's journey to the final was a significant achievement, marking their first appearance in the AFCON final since 2004. The team had shown resilience and determination throughout the tournament, overcoming a rocky start and defeating strong opponents like Nigeria in a dramatic penalty shootout in the semi-final.
The defeat is a bitter pill to swallow for the Atlas Lions and their fans, who had hoped to lift the trophy on home soil. While Senegal celebrates their second AFCON title, Brahim Diaz will be left to ponder what might have been, a moment of heartbreak in what was otherwise a promising tournament for the young star.
