It was a thunderbolt of a strike that left the Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou a bemused spectator.

The goal came a few minutes after Brahim Diaz botched a penalty that could have delivered the trophy to his country for only the second time since the inception of the competition in 1957.

His panenka - a chipped shot into the centre of the goal - failed to fool the Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy who caught it easily in the middle of his chest.

Diaz's kick came some 15 minutes after it was awarded.

Morocco's Regragui: the future of African football is right here, right now

In between, Senegal coach Pape Thiaw ordered his players off the field angry that referee Jean-Jacques Ngambo had disallowedIsmaila Sarr's goal for a foul in the build-up and then sanctioned Malick Diouf for his tug on Diaz.

But they returned for the denouement under the instructions of veteran striker Sadio Man.

Redeemed by Diaz's gaffe, Senegal explodedinto extra-timebristling with a sense of injustice.

After the opener, they defended valiantly and enjoyed a tad of luck: Nayef Aguerd's header thundered off the crossbar in the 108th minute.

A few minutes later, Thiaw's men could have killed the suspense but Bounou stopped Cherif Ndiaye's first shot and palmed the ball away as he was about to slot home the rebound.

"It was a difficlt match," Gueye told reporters. "The supporters have been great and it has been a great country. So, so difficult, the match ... we didn't cheat. Senegal are champions of Africa."

The defeat marks the end of Morocco's unbeaten sequence of 24 matches stretching back to March 2024.

"I'm disappointed for the fans," said Morocco coach Walid Regragui. "And also for the players. But they andMoroccowill come back stronger."

Man, flanked by Mendy, skipper Idrissa Gana Gueye and veteran defender Kalidou Koulibaly gathered to lift the trophy amid glitter and fireworks.

Hakimi returns as Morocco stroll into last 16 at Africa Cup of Nations

Morocco and Senegal will be in action at the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Moroccowill play in Group C against Brazil, Scotland and Haiti.

Senegal will play in Group I against France, Norway and a team that emerges from the intercontinental play-off in March.

Originally published on RFI