The Africa Cup of Nations delivered a final for the ages as Senegal edged hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time in Rabat, sealing their second AFCON title in three tournaments and extending a remarkable golden era for the Lions of Teranga.

A showdown between Africa’s two highest-ranked nations was played out in a feverish atmosphere, with a raucous home crowd urging Morocco on from the outset. Despite both sides’ impressive defensive records during the competition, the final began at an unexpectedly open tempo. Yassine Bounou was quickly called into action to deny Pape Gueye’s header, while at the other end Ismael Saibari sliced a promising opportunity wide.

Chances continued to arrive, and Senegal came closest before the interval when Iliman Ndiaye broke clear and aimed a low effort towards the far corner, only for Bounou’s outstretched leg to divert the ball to safety. The West Africans had looked the sharper side in the first half, but Morocco emerged after the break with renewed intent.

Ayoub El Kaabi squandered two openings, including one that drifted narrowly wide following Bilal El Khannouss’ inviting pass, before a lengthy stoppage for a Neil El Aynaoui injury disrupted the hosts’ momentum. Sensing an opportunity to settle the contest in normal time, Senegal coach Pape Thiaw made attacking changes, but his frustration peaked when referee Jean-Jacques Ndala blew for a foul just moments before Idrissa Gueye headed the ball into the net, ruling the goal out.

Tempers flared even further deep into stoppage time when VAR intervened to award Morocco a penalty for El Hadji Malick Diouf’s challenge on Brahim Diaz. A prolonged delay followed amid furious Senegalese protests, but drama reached another level when Diaz stepped up and inexplicably chipped his spot-kick straight at Edouard Mendy, sending the final into extra time.

The twists continued almost immediately. Early in the additional period, Senegal launched a rapid counter-attack that ended with Pape Gueye shrugging off Achraf Hakimi before unleashing a stunning left-footed strike into the top corner, sparking wild celebrations among the Senegal players and supporters.

Morocco threw everything forward in search of an equaliser, swinging between despair and hope. Nayef Aguerd came agonisingly close when his header crashed against the crossbar, while Bounou produced a miraculous fingertip save to deny substitute Cherif Ndiaye from close range and keep the hosts alive.

In the end, Senegal held firm. Gueye’s miss proved irrelevant as the Lions of Teranga became the first team since 1982 to defeat a host nation in an AFCON final, adding another chapter of glory to their 2021 triumph.

For Morocco, it was a crushing conclusion to an otherwise memorable tournament. Despite thrilling their supporters throughout the competition, the Atlas Lions fell just short in a captivating final, extending their wait for a first AFCON title in 50 years.