The Africa Cup of Nations final turned into a nightmare for Morocco and their star man Brahim Diaz.
After a stellar tournament where Diaz had netted five crucial goals, the stage was set for him to make history—potentially ending Morocco’s 50-year wait for the coveted trophy.
But fate had other plans.
The Missed Penalty That Stole the Spotlight
The defining moment came late in extra time when Diaz stepped up to take a penalty.
Opting for a daring ‘Panenka’ chip, the move backfired spectacularly.
Senegal’s goalkeeper, Edouard Mendy, stayed perfectly composed and collected the ball with ease.
The stadium fell silent as the gravity of the miss hit Diaz, leaving him visibly distraught.
Cameras later caught him on the bench, holding back tears after being substituted.
A Delay That Heightened the Tension
Adding to the drama, Diaz had to wait around 17 minutes before taking the penalty.
Senegal’s players, including Mendy, had briefly walked off the pitch in protest over the referee’s decision.
By the time he faced the goal, the tension was palpable—and the pressure overwhelming.
Reactions from Football Legends
Former Nigerian internationals Daniel Amokachi and Obi Mikel did not hold back in their reactions.
Amokachi lamented, “Brahim Diaz threw away all of his glorious moments, scoring five goals in this tournament.”
Meanwhile, Mikel reflected on the emotional toll: “It spoils everything Brahim Diaz has done well in this tournament.
He is going to be devastated. This is going to be tough on him, for weeks, for months.”
Former Morocco midfielder Hassan Kachloul also weighed in, warning that Diaz could face many sleepless nights, while ex-Nigeria forward Efan Ekoku described the miss as “a moment he will never get over.”
A Tournament of Highs and Lows
Despite the heartbreak, Diaz’s tournament had been remarkable.
He had been Morocco’s talisman, driving the team to the final with five impressive goals.
Yet, the Panenka penalty turned what could have been a historic moment into a bitter memory.
Senegal Seizes the Opportunity
Senegal capitalized soon after.
Just four minutes into extra time, Pape Gueye scored, securing victory and leaving Morocco’s dreams unfulfilled.
The missed penalty will be remembered as the turning point that overshadowed Diaz’s otherwise brilliant performance.
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