Morocco’s Brahim Diaz experienced a moment of heartbreak that will linger in football memory after his high-risk ‘Panenka’ penalty failed in the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) 2025 final against Senegal. The winger, who had been Morocco’s hero throughout the tournament, looked dejected as Senegal lifted the trophy, ending a dramatic and chaotic match.

A Chance to Make History

Deep into the second-half added time, with the scoreline still 0-0, Diaz earned a penalty that could have written his name into Moroccan football history. A win would have ended the nation’s 50-year wait for an Afcon trophy and crowned Diaz as the hero of the tournament.

Having scored five goals throughout the competition, Diaz was the tournament’s top scorer and looked set to complete a fairytale ending. However, his choice to attempt a ‘Panenka’ penalty—a delicate chip down the middle designed to outwit the goalkeeper—proved disastrous.

Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy remained composed, catching the ball easily and leaving Diaz stunned. Television cameras later captured the Real Madrid attacker struggling to hold back tears on the Moroccan bench after being substituted in extra time.

The Delay and Pressure

The penalty had been delayed for around 17 minutes due to Senegal players, including Mendy, leaving the pitch in protest over the decision. Morocco manager Walid Regragui reflected on the impact of the wait:

“He had a lot of time before taking the penalty, which must have disturbed him. But we can’t change what happened. That is how he chose to take the penalty. We need to look forwards now.”

Sadly for Diaz and Morocco, the missed penalty marked the final action of normal time. Four minutes into extra time, Pape Gueye scored the decisive goal for Senegal, leaving Diaz and his teammates heartbroken.

Expert Reactions

Former players and pundits expressed sympathy for Diaz, noting the psychological toll of the miss:

• Hassan Kachloul: “I think Brahim Diaz is going to have a lot of nightmares in the coming days.”
• Daniel Amokachi: “Brahim Diaz threw away all of his glorious moments, scoring five goals in this tournament.”
• Jon Obi Mikel: “It spoils everything Brahim Diaz has done well in this tournament. He is going to be devastated.”
• Efan Ekoku: “It is a moment Brahim Diaz will never get over.”

The incident underscores the mental challenges players face in high-pressure situations, where one decision can overshadow an entire tournament’s performance.

What Happened During the Final

The drama unfolded in the 98th minute when DR Congo referee Jean-Jacques Ndala consulted the pitchside monitor after Diaz appeared to be fouled by Senegal’s El Hadji Malick Diouf. A penalty was awarded, sparking protests from the Senegal team, who briefly walked off the pitch.

When the kick was finally taken in the 114th minute, Diaz’s attempt went straight into Mendy’s arms. Senegal then scored the match-winning goal, securing their Afcon 2025 triumph.

Understanding the ‘Panenka’

The ‘Panenka’ penalty is named after Antonin Panenka, who famously chipped the ball down the middle during the Euro 1976 final shootout against West Germany, winning Czechoslovakia the trophy. Since then, it has been attempted by some of football’s biggest names:

• Zinedine Zidane – 2006 World Cup final
• Andrea Pirlo – Euro 2012
• Sergio Ramos, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Thierry Henry, Zlatan Ibrahimovic – all have successfully executed the technique

However, the high-risk nature of the Panenka has led to famous failures as well. Early in their careers, both Zidane and Pirlo missed Panenka attempts. Other notable misses include Sergio Aguero, Raheem Sterling, Peter Crouch, Ademola Lookman, and, more recently, Sunderland’s Enzo Le Fee in the Premier League.

The Legacy of Diaz’s Miss

While Diaz’s miss will be remembered, it does not erase his outstanding tournament performance, which included five goals and multiple standout moments for Morocco. Nonetheless, the dramatic penalty failure will be a defining moment in his career and a reminder of the pressure faced by players on football’s biggest stages.

Morocco may have fallen short of their historic Afcon triumph, but Brahim Diaz remains one of the tournament’s standout performers. Still, fans and pundits alike expect that the image of his Panenka attempt being caught by Mendy will linger in football history for years to come.