The Africa Cup of Nations final between Morocco and Senegal ended in dramatic fashion when Brahim Diaz missed a late penalty that could have sent his nation to glory. In the chaotic aftermath of that miss, Real Madrid teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold’s live reaction to the moment has now gone viral across social media platforms.
The Africa Cup of Nations final between Morocco and Senegal ended in dramatic fashion when Brahim Diaz missed a late penalty that could have sent his nation to glory.
In the chaotic aftermath of that miss, Real Madrid teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold’s live reaction to the moment has now gone viral across social media platforms.
Diaz’s error came after a lengthy delay caused by Senegal’s controversial protest against the penalty decision.
Players briefly left the pitch before returning and allowing the kick to be taken, only for Diaz’s chipped attempt to be comfortably saved, leaving Morocco stunned and Senegal to secure victory in extra time. The bizarre scenes before and after the penalty have been widely discussed.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s viral reaction to Brahim Diaz’s penalty miss
Video circulating on social media shows Alexander-Arnold watching the match live as Diaz’s penalty attempt unfolds. In the clip, he leaps out of his seat in visible shock just as the ball is saved by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, a moment that quickly spread online and drew widespread reaction.
Fans on platforms like X and Instagram shared the footage, with many amused by the defender’s dramatic response and the way he appeared unable to believe what he had just seen.
Some videos show his companion covering their mouth in disbelief while Trent’s eyes widen before he stands abruptly, capturing the sense of stunned disbelief that many viewers felt at the unexpected outcome.
Recap of the AFCON final and the missed penalty
Brahim Diaz’s penalty miss came after Morocco were awarded a controversial stoppage-time spot kick following a challenge in the box. In protest against the decision, Senegal’s players briefly walked off the pitch, causing a significant delay before the penalty was taken.
Once play resumed, Diaz opted for a Panenka-style effort, which was comfortably saved by Mendy, denying Morocco a potential winning goal. Senegal went on to score in extra time and lift the AFCON trophy.
The incident and Alexander-Arnold’s subsequent reaction encapsulated the drama of the moment, blending the global attention on one of the tournament’s star performers with the personal emotion of a fellow elite professional suddenly witnessing a pivotal error.
The video has since become one of the most shared clips relating to the final, illustrating how high-profile players around the world responded to an unforgettable African football spectacle.
Category: General Sports