The match has already been dubbed the most scandalous and worthy of a Hitchcock-style movie. When the minutes were already being added to the main time of the match, Senegal scored a goal, but it was immediately canceled. Head referee Jean-Jacques Ngambo Ndala saw an offensive foul and blew the whistle before the ball had even entered the goal. The replays showed that the referee was wrong, the contact between the players was difficult to interpret as a clear violation. But there was nothing to be done.
And immediately in the return attack, a Moroccan player fell down during a corner kick and the hosts rushed to the referee to demand a penalty. The stands also exerted a powerful pressure. After watching the video replay, the referee did award a penalty. Because of disagreement with the apparent injustice (in their opinion), the national team of Senegal at the call of their head coach left the field. The fans in the stands scuffled.
Senegal captain Sadio Mane did persuade his teammates to return to the pitch.
But the drama did not end there, but got even brighter colors. The top scorer of the tournament, Moroccan Brahim Diaz, representing Real Madrid, failed to realize the scandalous penalty awarded by the referee. Perhaps the anxiety of almost half an hour of waiting and moral pressure had an impact.
Extra time began, and four minutes later the Senegalese scored the winning goal. Despite Morocco’s best efforts, the hosts were unable to get back on track.
After the match, the coaches of the teams almost fought, and then the journalists during the press conference.
Senegal captain Sadio Mane was recognized as the best player of the tournament, while Braim Diaz was named the top scorer. Morocco’s Yassine Bounou received the best goalkeeper award.
