'This Wound Will Not Heal Easy!': Brahim Diaz Rues AFCON Final Penalty Miss As Morocco Falter Against Senegal At Home

Last Updated:January 20, 2026, 13:15 IST

Pape Gueye produced the telling touch of the game after Diaz missed from the spot mere minutes ago as the Moroccon's tame panenka was collected by Eduardo Mendy.

Senegal's goalkeeper Edouard Osoque Mendy, right, approaches Morocco's Brahim Abdelkader Díaz before he took a penalty during the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Youssef Loulidi)

Senegal, who won the African Cup of Nations for a second time with their 1-0 win over hosts Morocco in the final of the continental showpiece, could face legal action sanctioned against them after their dramatic walkout during the summit clash.

Pape Gueye produced the telling touch of the game after Brahim Diaz had missed from the spot mere minutes ago as the Moroccon’s tame panenka was collected by Eduardo Mendy.

Diaz revealed that his soul aches following the defeat on home soil as the hosts who reached the final after a two-decade wait, fell at the hurdle.

“My soul hurts. I dreamed of this title because of all the love you guys have given me, every message, every show of support that made me feel like I wasn’t alone. I fought with everything I had, with my heart above all," Diaz said.

“I failed yesterday and I take full responsibility and I sincerely apologize," he added.

“It will be hard for me to recover, because this wound does not heal easily, but I will try. Not because of me, but for all who believed in me and for all who suffered with me," the Moroccon’s post added.

“I will keep going until one day I can return all this love and be the pride for my Moroccan people."

The game was marred by Senegal’s decision to walk off before the conclusion of the game in protest of the spot kick handed to the home team, which led to a nearly 20-minute pause as the players walked off the pitch in anger. Some Senegalese fans at the opposite end of the stadium threw chairs and other objects and attempted to enter the field of play.

Senegal scored the game’s only goal four minutes into extra time after the players returned to the pitch following an appeal from star forward Sadio Mane.

News sports football 'This Wound Will Not Heal Easy!': Brahim Diaz Rues AFCON Final Penalty Miss As Morocco Falter Against Senegal At Home

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