Brahim Diaz's Heartbreaking Penalty Miss in AFCON Final
A moment that will linger in Brahim Diaz's memory for years.
The winger had a golden opportunity to etch his name into Moroccan history when he won a penalty in the eighth minute of second-half stoppage time during the Africa Cup of Nations final against Senegal, which was still goalless.
This was a chance to end Morocco's 50-year wait for an AFCON trophy.
However, Diaz, who had scored five goals to lead his team to the final, attempted a 'Panenka' penalty that spectacularly failed. Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy remained composed and easily caught the ball.
The former Manchester City player and tournament's top scorer appeared devastated as the reality of his miss set in. Television cameras later captured him on the Morocco bench, holding back tears after being substituted in extra time.
Diaz had to wait approximately 17 minutes to take the penalty after most of the Senegal players, including Mendy, protested the decision and briefly left the pitch.
Morocco manager Walid Regragui commented, "He had a lot of time before taking the penalty, which must have disturbed him. But we can't change what happened. That is how he chose to take the penalty. We need to look forward now."
Diaz's penalty turned out to be the last kick of normal time.
Just four minutes into extra time, Senegal's Pape Gueye scored what would be the winning goal, leaving Diaz and his teammates heartbroken.
Former Morocco midfielder Hassan Kachloul remarked on Channel 4's coverage, "I think Brahim Diaz is going to have a lot of nightmares in the coming days."
Former Nigeria forward Daniel Amokachi added, "Brahim Diaz threw away all of his glorious moments, scoring five goals in this tournament."
Ex-Nigeria midfielder Jon Obi Mikel stated that the miss "spoils everything Brahim Diaz has done well in this tournament," adding, "He is going to be devastated. This is going to be tough on him for weeks, for months."
Efan Ekoku, another former Nigeria international, expressed, "It is a moment Brahim Diaz will never get over."
What happened?
The final remained goalless deep into added time when Senegal's El Hadji Malick Diouf appeared to pull Diaz down by the neck.
DR Congo referee Jean-Jacques Ndala was directed to the pitchside monitor by the video assistant referee, and after a brief assessment, he awarded the penalty in the 98th minute.
Frustrated by a previous decision that disallowed a Senegal goal in the 93rd minute, head coach Pape Thiaw attempted to lead his team off the field, with several players walking towards the dressing room.
Former Liverpool striker Sadio Mane remained on the pitch, urging his teammates to return and complete the match.
When the penalty was finally taken in the 114th minute, Diaz's weak attempt was saved by Mendy.
Pape Gueye then put Senegal ahead four minutes into extra time, and shortly after, Diaz was substituted.
What is a 'Panenka' and who else has tried one?
The last time Morocco won the AFCON was in the same year the first Panenka penalty was executed.
Czechoslovakia triumphed over West Germany in the Euro 1976 final with the most famous penalty kick in history. Midfielder Antonin Panenka waited for the goalkeeper to dive and casually chipped the ball down the middle of the goal.
Since then, the 'Panenka' has been attempted by numerous football stars on significant occasions, proving to be a high-risk tactic.
Zinedine Zidane scored one for France in the 2006 World Cup final, beating Italy's Gianluigi Buffon with a shot that hit the crossbar. Andrea Pirlo executed a similar move against Joe Hart during Italy's penalty shootout victory over England in the Euro 2012 quarter-final. Sergio Ramos also attempted one as Spain eliminated Portugal in the same tournament.
Other football legends, including Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Thierry Henry, Neymar, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, have successfully pulled off the Panenka.
However, Diaz is not the only player whose attempt has failed on football's grandest stage. Zidane and Pirlo both missed Panenka penalties earlier in their careers, while Sergio Aguero, Raheem Sterling, and Peter Crouch have also experienced failures.
In January, Brentford goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher easily saved a Panenka attempt by Sunderland's Enzo Le Fee in the Premier League. Ademola Lookman's disastrous attempt in a 1-0 defeat to West Ham in 2020 is also remembered as one of the worst Panenka penalties in recent years.