Morocco's Brahim Diaz receives the Golden Boot from FIFA President Gianni Infantino after the Africa Cup of Nations final which they lost 1-0 to Senegal on the day. Morocco have now been declared winners of the tournament after Senegal were stripped of the title.
Image: Franck FIfe/AFP
Brahim Díaz appeared to learn in real time that he had become an Africa Cup of Nations champion – and his reaction quickly spread online.
The Real Madrid attacker was on the bench during his side’s Champions League clash with Manchester City when news broke that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) had dramatically overturned the AFCON final result.
In a stunning decision, Senegal were stripped of their title and Morocco were instead awarded a 3–0 victory, months after losing the final on the pitch.
Díaz, who had endured a nightmare moment in that match after missing a crucial late penalty, suddenly found himself reclassified as a tournament winner.
Footage circulating on social media shows the 26-year-old reacting with visible surprise as he is informed of the development during the game. The clip has since gone viral, capturing the bizarre nature of a decision that has stunned the football world.
The reversal stems from the chaotic closing stages of the final, when Senegal players briefly walked off the pitch in protest of a refereeing decision before returning to complete the match. Despite going on to win 1–0 after extra time, that action was later deemed a breach of tournament regulations, resulting in a forfeiture.
For Díaz, the twist adds an unusual chapter to what had been a deeply frustrating night. His missed penalty had initially cost Morocco a shot at glory – only for events off the pitch to ultimately hand them the title anyway.
The decision remains highly controversial, but for the Moroccan forward, it has transformed heartbreak into an unlikely winners’ medal.
Senegal, however, have made it clear the story is far from over. The country’s football federation has strongly condemned the ruling and confirmed plans to challenge it at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, describing the decision as “unfair” and vowing to fight to have the original result reinstated.
IOL Sport