Morocco’s run at the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 ended in disappointment after a narrow final loss to Senegal, marked by a controversial penalty kick. The match’s outcome hinged on a late decision by Brahim Diaz, whose unconventional Panenka attempt from the penalty spot was read easily by Senegal’s goalkeeper, contributing to Morocco’s 1-0 defeat on home soil. The decision has sparked debate among analysts adn coaches about the risks and respect associated with such a high-stakes penalty strategy.
Jakarta –
Brahim Diaz, the breakout star for Morocco at the Africa Cup of Nations 2025, suffered a heartbreaking moment in Monday’s final against Senegal. Despite a dominant performance throughout the tournament, Diaz’s audacious penalty attempt proved costly.
The match, played in a tense atmosphere, ended in a 1-0 defeat for Morocco after Pape Gueye’s goal. The decisive moment came late in regulation time when Morocco was awarded a penalty following a VAR review for a foul during a corner kick.
Diaz, the Real Madrid forward, stepped up to take the spot-kick and opted for a Panenka – a delicate chip intended to deceive the goalkeeper. However, Senegal’s Edouard Mendy read the attempt perfectly, comfortably collecting the softly struck ball.
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The miss proved devastating, sending the game to extra time with the score still locked at 0-0.
Ultimately, Morocco, playing on home soil, fell short, losing 1-0 to Senegal. The defeat marks a painful end to what had been a promising campaign for the Atlas Lions.
Saudi Arabia’s head coach, Herve Renard, heavily criticized Diaz’s decision to attempt a Panenka in such a crucial moment. Renard experienced a similar disappointment in December when a Saudi Arabian player failed with a Panenka penalty against Morocco in the Arab Cup.
“The Panenka penalty by Brahim Diaz? You can miss a penalty, but in this case, I am firm and I have no compassion,” Renard stated, as quoted by AS.
“It’s a lack of respect towards the entire country and the entire people who have been fighting for success for 50 years.”
“On a smaller scale, I experienced the same thing in the Arab Cup against Morocco. One of my players, Abdullah Al-Hamdan, failed to execute a Panenka penalty. I asked him to accompany me to the post-match press conference and apologize,” added the coach, who has previously led both Ivory Coast and Zambia to Africa Cup of Nations titles.
(ran/nds)
