Brahim Diaz of Morocco looks on during the CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025 final match between Senegal and Morocco in Rabat, Morocco, 18 January 2026. EPA/JALAL MORCHIDI
Tuesday Jan 20, 2026. 11:00
Morocco’s Brahim Díaz has apologised and taken “full responsibility for his missed penalty in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final on Sunday.
Senegal emerged a 1-0 victors after extra-time at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, earning their second continental title in five years to deny Morocco the trophy after a 50-year wait.
Díaz was brought down in the Senegalese box by El Hadji Malick Diouf in stoppage time at the end of the second half. Referee Jean-Jacques Ndala did not pay the incident much attention at first, but was called to review the foul by VAR after Díaz’s incensed reaction.
The penalty was awarded, spurring the Senegalese players to leave the pitch in protest. This resulted in a roughly 16 minute delay before Senegalese star Sadio Mané managed to convince his teammates to return to the field.
Díaz stepped up to take the penalty and attempted to beat goalkeeper Édouard Mendy with a panenka down the middle. Mendy did not fall for it, making a comfortable save rooted to the spot.
The penalty was the final kick of the ball in stoppage time, with the miss sending the match to extra-time.
Pape Gueye stepped up as Senegal’s hero, scoring a spectacular strike in the 6th minute of extra-time to hand the Lions of Teranga their second AFCON title.
The Real Madrid winger took to social media on Monday evening, posting an apology for his blunder in the final.
“My soul hurts,” wrote Díaz.
“I dreamed of this title thanks to all the love you have given me, every message, every show of support that made me feel I was not alone. I fought with everything I had, with my heart above all else.
“Yesterday I failed, and I take full responsibility and apologise wholeheartedly. It will be difficult for me to recover, because this wound does not heal easily, but I will try.
“Not for myself, but for all those who believed in me and for all those who suffered with me.
“I will keep going until one day I can give you all this love back and be the pride of my Moroccan people.”
Despite the penalty miss, the 26-year-old enjoyed a stellar debut tournament, becoming the first player in AFCON history to score in all five of his first games at the finals. In addition, he finished as the tournament’s leading goalscorer, claiming the Golden Boot with five goals in seven games.
Díaz will be looking forward to the opportunity to redeem himself at the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.
By Nic Gleeson