Conspiracy theorists were left pointing the finger at Brahim Díaz after the Real Madrid star missed a penalty with the final kick of a chaotic and controversial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final between host nation Morocco and Senegal.
Senegal’s late goal ruled out
After a goalless 90 minutes, Senegal thought they had scored a dramatic winner in the second minute of stoppage time when Ismaila Sarr headed into the net from close range. However, the referee had already blown for a soft foul in the buildup, a decision that left the Senegalese players and bench furious.
Morocco penalty, VAR and total chaos
Their anger only intensified minutes later when Morocco were awarded a penalty for a foul on Díaz, who claimed he had been pulled back inside the box. After a VAR check, the spot kick was confirmed, and chaos followed. Both benches poured toward the touchline, arguing and jostling as tempers flared.
Senegal walk off in protest
Enraged by being on the wrong end of two major decisions in quick succession, Senegal manager Pape Thiaw instructed his players to leave the field. Some headed straight for the locker room, while others remained on the pitch, seemingly unsure whether the match would actually be completed.
After a delay of roughly 15 minutes, Senegal’s players eventually returned for what remained of extra time, which consisted solely of the penalty itself.
The Panenka that Brahim will never forget
One kick separated Morocco from the AFCON trophy for the first time in 50 years, but the Madrid attacker’s dreadful Panenka attempt drifted embarrassingly into the waiting hands of Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
The woeful execution immediately sparked conspiracy theories across social media. Even the UK broadcast team openly debated whether Díaz had missed on purpose, given everything that had unfolded beforehand.
Given that he had actively appealed for the penalty after being hauled down in the box, that theory seems unlikely. Still, after the events of this particular AFCON final, very little would have felt truly surprising.