WATCH: Trent Alexander-Arnold reacts to Brahim Diaz's penalty miss in AFCON 2025 final
(Courtesy : Getty Images)
Brahim Diaz’s penalty miss cost Morocco the AFCON 2025 trophy.
Trent Alexander-Arnold left his room after witnessing Real Madrid teammate Brahim Diaz miss a penalty in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final. The former Liverpool player was watching the final on Sunday, which pitted Senegal against Morocco, the hosts.
Morocco were given a highly contentious penalty in the eighth minute of stoppage time while the game remained goalless. Referee Jean-Jacques Ndala was summoned to the VAR monitor after it was determined that West Ham defender El Hadji Malick Diouf had fouled him inside the area.
A night to forget for AFCON 2025 topscorer
Senegal’s manager, Pape Thiaw, was incensed by the ruling and gave the order for his team to leave in protest of both the penalty and their goal that had been rejected earlier in stoppage time. When things got heated in the stands, riot police were called in as their fans tried to storm the field.
Senegal’s talisman, former Liverpool player Sadio Mane, encouraged them out onto the field after the game was postponed for a total of 17 minutes. After more theatrics around the penalty spot, Brahim Diaz finally went up and attempted a Panenka. But former Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy easily saved it as it meandered towards goal.
Marcell, one of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s siblings, was watching the game with him. Trent glanced away from the camera and left the room as soon as the ball fell into Mendy’s hands.
Diaz, meanwhile, started crying in Rabat after losing the opportunity to win AFCON at home. During the extra time, Senegal’s Pape Gueye scored a spectacular goal to win the trophy.
Even though Brahim Diaz finished as the tournament’s best scorer with five goals in seven games, the enraged audience jeered him as he went to pick up his prize.
Who won between Senegal and Morocco?
Senegal won the AFCON trophy with a 1-0 scoreline.
Did Diaz miss the game-winning penalty?
Yes, he could have put his team in the lead, and hopefully have a chance to win the game by scoring the penalty.
Was Trent Alexander-Arnold watching the AFCON 2025 final?
Yes, he also watched Diaz miss the penalty.
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After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.