{"id":15322,"date":"2026-01-19T07:22:06","date_gmt":"2026-01-19T07:22:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/?p=15322"},"modified":"2026-01-19T07:34:14","modified_gmt":"2026-01-19T07:34:14","slug":"the-panenka-pain-moroccos-afcon-dream-ends-in-drama","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.365scores.com\/news\/the-panenka-pain-moroccos-afcon-dream-ends-in-drama","title":{"rendered":"How a Moment of Audacity by Brahim D\u00edaz Mirrored the Great Historical Meltdowns of Football\u2019s Icons"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

January 19, 2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The lights of the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah have rarely seen such drama. Last night\u2019s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Final<\/a><\/strong> was billed as the ultimate showdown between the tournament hosts, Morocco<\/a>, and the powerhouse of Senegal<\/a>. It was a match that had everything: disallowed goals, a 15-minute player walk-off, and a moment of tactical audacity that will haunt Moroccan fans for a generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"TOPSHOT
(Photo by Paul ELLIS \/ AFP via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The match remained a tense, goalless deadlock until the 114th minute of extra time. After a VAR review awarded a penalty to Morocco, the pitch descended into chaos. The Senegalese coaching staff and players, feeling aggrieved by the decision, briefly left the field in protest. It took the intervention of Sadio Mane<\/a> to restore order and bring his team back to the pitch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the dust settled, the stage was set for Brahim Diaz<\/a>. The Real Madrid<\/a> star, who had been the tournament\u2019s top scorer, stepped up to the spot. With the weight of a nation on his shoulders, he attempted a “Panenka” chip. The audacity backfired spectacularly; the ball floated directly into the arms of a stationary Edouard Mendy. Moments later, Pape Gueye struck a thunderous winner for Senegal, sealing a 1-0 victory and leaving Diaz in tears on the turf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83e\udd45 AFCON Final chaos & a Panenka that broke hearts!

Morocco get a last-minute penalty. Senegal players leave the pitch in protest but are convinced to return. Then… Brahim D\u00edaz steps up and misses a soft Panenka with his weak foot.

The million-dollar question: Was that miss\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/vbrEUeOasS<\/a><\/p>— 365Scores (@365Scores) January 18, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote>