Senegal 1-0 Morocco, AFCON 2025 Final: Gueye Strike Sees Teranga Lions Clinch Title

Senegal erupted in joy Sunday night after the West African country’s soccer team defeated Morocco 1-0 to win the Africa Cup of Nations. Across the capital Dakar, fireworks lit up the sky, horns blared and people of all ages chanted and danced in the streets, dressed in national colors and holding Senegalese flags. Just minutes earlier, Senegal defeated Morocco in the championship game of the Africa Cup of Nations in dramatic fashion. The heated final was played in Rabat, Morocco’s capital. Pape Gueye scored in extra time for the Teranga Lions to beat host Morocco 1-0 in a chaotic game which at one point saw fans trying to storm the field and Senegal’s players walking off the field to protest a penalty decision deep into second-half stoppage time.

Updated on: 19 January 2026 9:43 am

Senegal's Sadio Mane holds the trophy aloft as he celebrates with teammates after winning the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco in Rabat, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Youssef Loulidi

1/10

2/10

Morocco's Brahim Abdelkader Díaz, left, holds the trophy for the best score, Senegal's Sadio Mane, center, holds trophy for the best player and Morocco's goalkeeper Yassine Bounou the trophy for the best goalkeeper of the tournament after the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco, in Rabat, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Themba Hadebe

3/10

Fans celebrate after Senegal won the Africa Cup of Nations in Dakar, Senegal. | Photo: AP/Misper Apawu

4/10

Senegal's Antoine Mendy controls the ball during the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco, in Rabat, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Themba Hadebe

5/10

Morocco Africa Cup of Nations Soccer Final: Senegal vs Morocco

Senegal supporters clash with security services after a controversial penalty was awarded to Morocco late on during the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco in Rabat, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Youssef Loulidi

6/10

Morocco's Achraf Hakimi, left, and Senegal's Sadio Mane battle for the ball during the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco in Rabat, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Youssef Loulidi

7/10

Africa Cup Of Nations 2025 Final: Senegal vs Morocco

Senegal's goalkeeper Edouard Osoque Mendy saves from Morocco's Ismael Saibari during the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco in Rabat, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Youssef Loulidi

8/10

Morocco Africa Cup of Nations Soccer Final: Morocco vs Senegal

Fans celebrate Senegal's goal in the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco in Dakar, Senegal. | Photo: AP/Misper Apawu

9/10

Africa Cup Of Nations 2025 Final: Morocco vs Senegal

Senegal's Pape Gueye scores the opening goal during the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco, in Rabat, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Mosa'ab Elshamy

10/10

Senegal vs Morocco Africa Cup of Nations 2025-26 Final

A general view of the closing ceremony ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco, in Rabat, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Youssef Loulidi