Turbulent Post-Match Fallout After Senegal’s Dramatic Victory Over Morocco

The post-match press conference at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium quickly devolved into chaos shortly after its commencement, mirroring the tumultuous events that unfolded at the conclusion of regular time. Pape Thiaw, the architect behind Senegal’s dramatic 1-0 victory in extra time, entered the media center anticipating inquiries about his team’s resilience and tactical discipline. Instead, he was confronted with a wave of animosity that rendered the conference unmanageable.

As Thiaw took his seat, a sizable group of Moroccan journalists began to jeer and boo the 44-year-old coach, evidently incensed by his conduct during the match’s most controversial moment. The Senegalese press contingent responded by applauding and cheering for their manager, creating a cacophony that drowned out the moderator’s efforts to restore order. Witnesses described the atmosphere as toxic, with heated verbal exchanges erupting between the opposing media factions.

Unmoved by the lack of decorum, Thiaw briefly waited for the jeering to subside. However, when it became apparent that order could not be restored, he stood up and exited the room, declining to answer questions. This abrupt departure left many queries regarding the earlier walk-off unanswered, yet it fittingly concluded a final that had spiraled out of control.

The hostility directed at Thiaw stemmed from his unprecedented decision to instruct his players to leave the pitch during stoppage time. The match had erupted into controversy when Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded a penalty to Morocco in the 95th minute following a VAR review. The penalty, given for a foul by Senegal full-back El Hadji Malick Diouf on Brahim Diaz, came shortly after Senegal had a goal disallowed, igniting fury on the Teranga Lions’ bench.

In a move likely to incur severe sanctions from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Thiaw signaled for his team to abandon the match in protest. The Senegal squad exited down the tunnel, leaving Moroccan players and officials bewildered on the pitch for nearly 15 minutes. It was only after the intervention of senior players, including Sadio Mane, that the team was persuaded to return and complete the game.

When play resumed, the drama escalated further. Morocco’s star forward, Brahim Diaz, attempted a Panenka penalty that could have clinched the tournament, only for his chipped effort to be easily caught by goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. This save appeared to shatter Morocco’s confidence, while invigorating the Senegalese, who ultimately secured the trophy with Pape Gueye’s precise strike in the fourth minute of extra time.

Thiaw managed to issue an apology for his decision to withdraw his players, stating to Bein Sports: “We did not agree with the decision, that is all, and I do not want to revisit what happened in this match. Upon reflection, I regretted instructing my players to leave the pitch. I apologize to football. I brought them back. Sometimes reactions in the heat of the moment can lead to regrettable decisions. We questioned whether that penalty could have been awarded if our goal had been allowed. However, we now accept the referee’s mistakes; it happens. We should not have acted as we did, but it is done. We apologize.”

While Thiaw faced backlash for his actions, his counterpart, Walid Regragui, encountered a different form of scrutiny. Despite leading Morocco to a historic World Cup semi-final just three years earlier, the Atlas Lions head coach found his position under immediate examination following the defeat. The local media, grappling with the disappointment of another missed opportunity on home soil, did not hold back in their appraisal of the manager’s failure to secure the title.

During his segment of the press conference, Regragui was confronted by journalists probing into his future. One reporter bluntly inquired when the 50-year-old intended to resign, a harsh interrogation for a manager who has transformed Moroccan football but has now fallen short at the final hurdle.

Regragui, however, remained resolute, refusing to resign immediately. Instead, he criticized Thiaw’s actions, stating: “The image Africa presented today is somewhat shameful. When a coach instructs his players to leave the pitch… He had already started in the press conference. Good for him. As I mentioned, in the end, you must always maintain class, both in victory and in defeat. What Pape did tonight does not honor Africa. It was not classy, yet it is inconsequential; he is the African champion and has the right to express his views. We halted the match in front of the entire world for at least 10 minutes.”

When asked about the missed penalty, he continued, “I believe the delay before he took the penalty may have unsettled him. The interruption didn’t assist Brahim. That is not an excuse for his execution, but we cannot dwell on it; that is how he struck it.”

The victory marked a second continental title for the West Africans, solidifying their status as a dominant force in modern football. The post-match celebrations on the pitch starkly contrasted the bitterness prevailing in the stands and press room.

In contrast, Morocco faces an extended wait for success. The kingdom had heavily invested in infrastructure and facilities, perceiving this tournament as a precursor to their co-hosting of the 2030 World Cup. To lose under such circumstances—with a missed penalty in stoppage time followed by an extra-time defeat—constitutes a psychological blow that may take years to overcome. The aftermath of the final is expected to linger in headlines for days, with CAF investigations likely to mount over Thiaw and the Senegalese federation, ensuring this narrative continues long after the trophy departs Rabat.