Real Madrid’s Trent Alexander-Arnold was left stunned after witnessing his club teammate Brahim Diaz’s failed panenka attempt in the AFCON 2025 final. The English star couldn’t believe his eyes as Diaz’s cheeky penalty was easily saved by Edouard Mendy in the dying moments of the game.
The drama unfolded deep into stoppage time when the referee awarded Morocco a penalty for a foul on Diaz inside the box. The decision came after a VAR review, which also saw Senegal having a goal disallowed moments earlier. The Lions were left fuming with the decision, with coach Pape Thiaw even instructing his players to walk off the pitch in protest.
The match was paused for about 10 minutes before Sadio Mane convinced his teammates to return and finish the game. However, the penalty miss by Diaz sealed Morocco’s fate, and the game went into extra time. It was Senegal’s Papa Gueye who stole the show with a stunning long-range strike to secure the AFCON 2025 title for his team.
Prior to the final, Morocco coach Walid Regragui had heaped praise on Brahim Diaz, expressing his delight at the young star’s performance in the tournament. Regragui believed that Diaz’s confidence would soar after a successful AFCON run and that he would be a key player for Real Madrid following Xabi Alonso’s departure.
Diaz ended up winning the Golden Boot at AFCON 2025, scoring five goals and outperforming the likes of Victor Osimhen and Mohamed Salah. His impressive display in the tournament showcased his potential and hinted at a bright future for the Real Madrid youngster.
In conclusion, the AFCON 2025 final was a rollercoaster of emotions for both teams, with Senegal ultimately emerging victorious. Diaz’s missed penalty will be a moment to forget for him, but his overall performance in the tournament was commendable and bodes well for his future at Real Madrid.
