Senegal’s national football team won the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, beating Morocco by a single goal after extra time (0-0 at fulltime) on Sunday at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
For this fixture between two teams that had never previously met in the knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations, Walid Regragui fielded the same starting eleven.
By contrast, Pape Thiaw made several changes to make up for the absences of Kalidou Koulibaly, Habib Diarra and Krépin Diatta, all ruled out at the last minute.
After five minutes of probing, Senegal created the first clear chance of the match. From a corner taken on the left, the ball reached the far post where Pape Gueye attempted a close-range header, but was denied by the imposing Yassine Bounou.
Two minutes later, Ezzalzouli surged down the flank and delivered a teasing cross into the box. The ball went unreached and the danger was eventually cleared by the Senegalese defence.
Thereafter, both teams slowed the tempo, waiting for the right moment to strike without leaving spaces. With Senegal enjoying a slight edge in possession (57%) up to the 25th minute, the match turned into an intense tactical battle in midfield, with the goalkeepers rarely called into action.
In the 38th minute, Senegal, very quick in transition, came close to opening the scoring. A driven pass from Jackson beat the Moroccan high block and gave Ndiaye a clear run at Bounou inside the box. The former Sevilla goalkeeper produced a superb save, deflecting the low, angled shot with the tip of his right foot.
Five minutes later, Ezzalzouli delivered a superb right-footed cross into the Senegal penalty area. Aguerd came close to meeting it with a header but was unable to connect.
After the break, the Atlas Lions showed greater attacking intent in a bid to score the opener. From another Ezzalzouli cross following a pass from El Kaabi, Malick Diouf cleared the danger by conceding a corner.
In the 58th minute, El Kaabi fashioned a golden opportunity. From the right wing, El Khanouss sent in a fine low cross toward the Moroccan striker, who got ahead of Mendy by a few centimetres, but his effort narrowly missed the target.
In the 67th minute, Neil El Aynaoui rose high in an aerial duel with Diouf and suffered a cut to the eyebrow. The medical staff came onto the pitch to stop the bleeding, and the AS Roma midfielder was able to continue.
In the 90th minute, Ibrahim Ndiaye accelerated, shifted onto his left foot with a neat feint and fired a shot, but Bounou was alert and pushed the danger away.
In stoppage time, Morocco were awarded a penalty, but Brahim Diaz missed his attempted Panenka.
During extra time, Senegal finally broke the deadlock through Alassane Guye, who struck a powerful left-footed shot.
(MAP: 18 January 2026)
