Former Moroccan national team coach Hervé Renard strongly criticized Ibrahim Diaz, the Moroccan national team player, after he missed a penalty kick during the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations against Senegal.

Renard, who is currently coaching the Saudi national team, described the missed penalty as a failure to take responsibility at a crucial moment, noting that he would have taken strict action against the player if he were still in charge of the Moroccan national team.

The final match, held last Sunday at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in the capital Rabat, witnessed thrilling events in the final minutes of regular time, amid a charged atmosphere inside the stadium.

In the sixth minute of added time in the second half, the Moroccan national team was awarded a penalty after Brahim Diaz was fouled inside the Senegalese penalty area. This decision sparked strong protests from the Senegalese players, leading to an approximately 18-minute stoppage before play resumed.

Díaz, the Real Madrid player, took the penalty kick, striking the ball in a deceptive manner. However, the shot was weak and aimed at the center of the goal, allowing Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy to easily save it.

The Senegal national team seized the opportunity and succeeded in scoring the winning goal during extra time through their player Bamba Gaye, securing the continental title and achieving their second championship in the history of the tournament.

In a statement to the French newspaper Le Parisien, Renard confirmed that he might accept missing a penalty kick under certain circumstances, but he emphasized that there should be no leniency in such crucial situations, considering it unacceptable to treat them lightly.

The French coach added that moments like these touch the feelings of an entire country and fans who have waited for the continental title for many years.

Later, Brahim Díaz issued an apology to the Moroccan fans following the loss, after the dream of winning the second title in the history of the Moroccan national team, whose last championship victory dates back to 1976, was shattered.