It is no news that Brahim Díaz missed the controversial penalty awarded to Morocco during the dying minutes of the AFCON 2025 final against Senegal, but the manner of the miss has continued to fuel intense debate across the football world.
Softfootball gathered, the penalty, awarded deep into added time, came at the height of tension. Senegal’s players and coaching staff strongly protested the decision, with several briefly leaving the pitch in frustration over what they believed were unfair refereeing calls. It took the calm leadership of Sadio Mané to convince his teammates to return and complete the match.
When play resumed, Díaz stepped up to take the decisive spot kick. Instead of opting for a powerful or placed strike, the Moroccan forward attempted a Panenka penalty, a delicate chip down the middle. The effort failed, and the ball was easily dealt with, turning what could have been a dramatic equaliser into a defining moment of the final.
Many fans and analysts believe this choice is why some perceive the miss as intentional. In football folklore, a failed Panenka often attracts harsh judgment, as it can make even elite players appear careless or amateurish. When successful, the technique looks bold and brilliant; when it fails, it invites criticism and suspicion.
The controversy did not end on the pitch. Díaz later issued an emotional apology to Moroccan supporters, acknowledging the disappointment and pain caused by the miss.
In a deeply personal message, Díaz wrote:
My soul hurts. I dreamed of this title thanks to all the love you’ve given me, to every message, to every show of support that made me feel I wasn’t alone. I fought with everything I had, with my heart above all.
Yesterday I failed, and I take full responsibility, and I apologize from the bottom of my heart.
It will be hard for me to recover, because this wound doesn’t heal easily, but I’ll try. Not for myself, but for everyone who believed in me and for everyone who suffered with me.
I will keep moving forward until one day I can return all this love to you and be a source of pride for my Moroccan people.
#AlwaysMorocco
His message quickly went viral, drawing mixed reactions—sympathy from some fans and further scrutiny from others who questioned his decision-making under pressure.
In the end, Senegal went on to secure a 1–0 victory after extra time, lifting the AFCON 2025 trophy. Yet, Díaz’s missed Panenka remains one of the most talked-about moments of the tournament, symbolising both the chaos of the final minutes and the fine line between courage and regret on football’s biggest stage.
