Brahim Díaz's decision to attempt a Panenka penalty in the Africa Cup of Nations final proved costly, as Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy saved comfortably to deny Morocco a first title in 50 years.
The penalty was awarded after a VAR review for a shirt pull by El Hadji Malick Diouf, but Senegal's players walked off in protest, causing a 15-minute delay. When play resumed, Díaz chipped weakly, allowing Mendy to catch the ball with ease.
Mendy, who had saved a similar Panenka from Sergio Agüero five years ago, said he simply did his job. He dismissed suggestions of any collusion, insisting Díaz wanted to score and that his save was the result of staying calm.
Díaz, the tournament's leading scorer with five goals, was left in tears and reportedly inconsolable in the dressing room. Morocco coach Walid Regragui offered no sympathy, saying the delay did not excuse the poor strike, while Moroccan newspapers condemned the decision as inexplicable.
