Pape Gueye scores extra-time winner as Senegal claim Afcon after late VAR row

Senegal beat Morocco to win the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco after Pape Gueye’s goal in the fourth minute of extra time, a finish that followed a dramatic late VAR decision and a temporary walk-off by Senegal’s players. The chaos began in injury time when Abdoulaye Seck was penalised for a slight push on Achraf Hakimi and, after Ismaïla Sarr’s nodded attempt was ruled out by a whistle, a VAR review later led to El Hadji Malick Diouf being penalised for a slight pull on Brahim Díaz.

Convinced by a plot against them, the majority of Senegal’s players stormed off the pitch; it took intervention from Sadio Mané, Claude Le Roy and El Hadji Ousseynou Diouf to bring them back. Fifteen minutes passed between the award of the penalty and it being taken. Brahim Díaz waited, attempted a Panenka and saw his spot-kick saved by Édouard Mendy; advertising hoardings in front of Senegal fans then collapsed and at least 100 riot police were deployed.

Four minutes into extra time, Neil El Aynaoui was dispossessed and Pape Gueye surged through to hammer a shot into the top corner. The report said Senegal’s walk-off was “inexcusable” and that there will almost certainly be sanctions against coach Pape Thiaw and perhaps some players, and that the game might even have been awarded against them.

Key Topics

Sports, Pape Gueye, Senegal, Morocco, Afcon, Video Assistant Referee