Sixteen days after the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, won by Senegal against Morocco, Senegalese defender El Malick Diouf reflected on one of the most decisive moments of this historic match.
After a controversial foul on Brahim Díaz in the penalty area, Diouf shared his feelings and the exchange he had with Senegalese goalkeeper Édouard Mendy when the referee consulted VAR to decide on the penalty. The West Ham defender admitted he was surprised by the VAR intervention, as well as the outcome of that crucial moment.
“When he stopped, we didn’t even celebrate. For the penalty, I didn’t think the referee would check VAR, but hey… Even if there was a penalty, we were lucky he missed it,” Diouf explained, showing the extreme stress and tension that filled the pitch at that moment.
According to him, it was mainly Mendy’s calmness and confidence that helped him stay composed and focused. “What reassured me at the start was Edouard. I thanked him, I prayed for him, because for me, he’s the best goalkeeper in the history of African football,” he added, highlighting the goalkeeper’s crucial role in that decisive moment.
The defender also emphasized the conviction that Mendy instilled in him: “There’s no debate here. For me, he reassured me by saying I was going to save the penalty. And when he saved it, we didn’t even think about celebrating,” Diouf continued in an interview with Canal+, recalling the discipline and focus that prevailed on the field.
For El Malick Diouf, that save was the turning point of the final, giving a psychological and strategic advantage to the Lions of Teranga. “We knew we were going to win the match after that penalty. They were in doubt, and we knew it was our moment to score,” he concluded, shedding light on the importance of collective confidence and leadership in a final of this magnitude.
This episode will be remembered as one of the key moments of Senegal’s victory, showcasing the Lions’ ability to stay strong under pressure and capitalize on decisive moments in a major match.
