Speculation Swirls After Real Madrid Star’s Panenka Chip is Saved in Chaotic AFCON Final
The football world is abuzz with a startling and unverified theory following the chaotic conclusion of Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final. In the aftermath of Senegal’s extra-time victory over host nation Morocco, wild speculation has centered on Real Madrid forward Brahim Díaz and his last-gasp penalty miss, with some fans and pundits suggesting he may have missed on purpose as an act of sportsmanship.
The moment arrived after a sequence of events that pushed the final into near farce. With Morocco awarded a stoppage-time penalty following Senegal’s walk-off protest, Díaz stepped up to take a kick that could have won the trophy. Instead of a powerful strike, the 24-year-old opted for a delicate ‘Panenka’ chip straight down the middle, which Senegal’s goalkeeper Édouard Mendy collected easily.
Given the unprecedented context—Senegal had just returned to the pitch after a dramatic boycott—the nature of the miss immediately raised eyebrows. Online, a theory quickly gained traction: that Díaz, unsettled by the controversial penalty award and the opposition’s protest, intentionally failed to score as a silent protest or gesture of fair play.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” commented former Senegal international Khalilou Fadiga on a sports panel. “The pressure was immense, the atmosphere was toxic. Whether it was nerves or something else, only Brahim knows what was in his heart at that moment.”
Moroccan journalists and fans have largely dismissed the speculation as painful conjecture. “To suggest a player would throw away a continental title for his country in a final is disrespectful,” said Moroccan football analyst Leila Makroum. “It was a high-risk tactic that didn’t pay off. It’s a cruel moment for a brilliant player, not a conspiracy.”
Senegal, having survived the scare, went on to win 1-0 in extra time, sealing their championship. While the trophy is decided, the debate over Díaz’s penalty—a moment of bizarre choice in a night of high drama—shows no sign of ending, adding another layer of folklore to an already unforgettable final.
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