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Morocco forward Brahim Diaz apologises for penalty miss in AFCON final defeat to Senegal: ‘My soul hurts.’
Morocco forward Brahim Diaz has issued an emotional apology after his missed penalty proved decisive in his country’s 1-0 defeat to Senegal in the Africa Cup of Nations final on Sunday, admitting his “soul hurts” over the moment that denied Morocco a long-awaited continental title.
The dramatic incident came deep into stoppage time in Rabat, when Morocco were awarded a penalty in the 98th minute after Diaz was brought down by defender El Hadji Malick Diouf. The decision, confirmed following a Video Assistant Referee review, sparked chaotic scenes both on the pitch and in the stands.
Senegal players briefly walked off in protest, encouraged by head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw, and it took more than 14 minutes for order to be restored.
When play eventually resumed, Diaz stepped up and attempted a Panenka-style penalty, but the weak chip was comfortably gathered by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
The miss turned out to be a pivotal moment, as the match went into extra time before Pape Gueye struck the winning goal to hand Senegal the trophy.
Taking responsibility for the outcome, Diaz wrote on X:
“Yesterday I failed, and I take full responsibility and apologise with all my heart.“It will be hard for me to recover because this wound does not heal easily, but I will try. Not for myself, but for all who believed in me and for all who suffered with me.
“I will keep going until someday I can give back all this love and be a pride for my Moroccan people.”
The 26-year-old, who plays for Real Madrid, was born in Malaga and previously represented Spain before switching allegiance to Morocco in 2024.
Despite the painful finale, Diaz enjoyed an outstanding tournament, finishing as the top scorer at AFCON 2025 after finding the net in each of Morocco’s first five matches.
Morocco’s quest for a first Africa Cup of Nations title since 1976 will now stretch on, with their 50-year wait set to continue until at least the 2027 tournament.
Me duele el alma. Soñé con este título gracias a todo el amor que me habéis dado, a cada mensaje, a cada muestra de apoyo que me hizo sentir que no estaba solo. Luché con todo lo que tenía, con el corazón por encima de todo.
Ayer fallé y asumo toda la responsabilidad y me… pic.twitter.com/W7oBP6crru
— Brahim (@Brahim) January 19, 2026