By The Numbers: Senegal win 2025 AFCON

Senegal beat Morocco 1-0 on Sunday night in a dramatic AFCON final that will be remembered for ages. The Lions of Teranga thought they had won the game in injury time, only for their goal to be chalked off for a foul in the buildup. As if that was not enough drama, Morocco won a penalty of their own a few minutes later – a decision which saw the Senegalese walk off the pitch before returning 15 minutes later. Brahim Diaz’ effort was saved, sending the game into extra time, where Pape Gueye scored a winner four minutes in. By The Numbers brings statistical context to an extraordinary night.

A golden generation delivers

The pressure for golden generations has seen many nations fail to live up to expectations. The Netherlands, England and Belgium are famous European examples, while Brazil and Morocco have been in a similar boat recently. Yet, Senegal’s golden generation have delivered on their promise. Twice. With Edouard Mendy (33), Kalidou Koulibaly (34), Gana Gueye (36) and Sadio Mane (33) all approaching or past their mid-30s, we may not see all of them at the same AFCON again. Indeed, Sadio Mane has already hinted at international retirement.

18 – times Senegal have been to AFCON

1 – final reached by Senegal in the first 14 appearances (lost)

3 – finals reached by Senegal in the last four appearances (two won)

4 – finals reached by Senegal overall

1 – this was the first time they scored a goal in an AFCON final

A tight affair

The tight margins seen all week must have been a warning of things to come. Senegal needed a late goal to win 1-0 over Egypt in their semi, while Morocco went past Nigeria on penalties in theirs. The third place playoff also needed penalties to separate Nigeria and Egypt, so by that measure, the final went according to script. According to Opta, the ball was in play for just 38% of the final, the second lowest percentage in any of the 365 matches Opta has on record at AFCON since 2010.

14 – AFCON finals since AFCON 1998

8 – of these finals were decided by a single goal

6 – of these finals were decided by a penalty shootout

However, it was not for a lack of trying. The final may not have seen any goals, but there were some good attempts and corresponding good saves.

35 – shots taken in this game (more than both semi-finals combined, 33)

7 – big chances created in this game (more than both semi-finals combined, 5)

7 – big chances missed in this game

Big players step up

Brahim Diaz and the off-field shenanigans will be the story of the day, but that must not take attention away from two of Senegal’s heroes. Edouard Mendy’s penalty save in the 114th minute (before extra time) will forever be etched in AFCON folklore. Pape Gueye’s winner means he may never pay for anything in Senegal.

5 – clean sheets for Mendy, the joint-most of all keepers at AFCON (Bounou also 5)

88% – save percentage for Mendy (highest of keepers playing more than three matches)

3.2 – goals prevented by Mendy, the best of all keepers at AFCON

16 – shots by Pape Gueye in the knockout stages, more than any other player

9 – shots on target by him in the knockouts, more than any other player

3 – goals for him in the knockouts, the joint-most goals (alongside Victor Osimhen)