Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy's dramatic save during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final against hosts Morocco, has brought to mind a similar Panenka-style penalty stop he made earlier in the English Premier League (EPL).

The AFCON final, held at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on January 18, 2026, was played under cold and rainy conditions, and tension escalated in the final minutes of regulation time. 

Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a controversial penalty in the 90+8 minute after a VAR review, just minutes after a Senegal goal had been disallowed in the 90+2 minute. 

Frustrated, Senegal coach Pape Thiaw briefly led his team off the pitch, delaying play by nearly 20 minutes.

Drama reached its peak when Mendy saved what appeared to be a Panenka-style penalty from Morocco’s Real Madrid winger Brahim Díaz with the final kick of the match.

The miss stunned fans worldwide, including US-based streamer IShowSpeed, who watched the decisive moment live.

Some people have speculated that Díaz’s failed penalty reflected Morocco’s desire to avoid further controversy and preserve the integrity of African football on the global stage.

However, Díaz’s visible distress and the high hopes placed on him to end Morocco’s 50-year AFCON drought make such theories difficult to substantiate.

| Divergent views on Diaz's Panenka 

As debates swirl on social media, a 2021 Panenka save by Mendy has resurfaced.

At the time, Mendy was in goal for Chelsea during an English Premier League (EPL) clash against Manchester City.

After Gabriel Jesus was fouled in the box by Billy Gilmour, Manchester City earned a penalty, and Sergio Agüero stepped up. Agüero attempted a cheeky Panenka, but Mendy stayed on his feet and comfortably saved the kick, helping Chelsea secure a 2-1 victory thanks to a late Marcos Alonso goal.

Five years later, Mendy’s composure was once again on full display against a top-class finisher, Brahim Díaz, in a similarly high-pressure situation.

Díaz, who had been Morocco’s top scorer in the tournament, looked distraught as he accepted the Golden Boot from FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the conclusion of the match.

The Panenka technique, named after Czechoslovakian player Antonín Panenka, originated in the 1976 European Championship final.

With the game tied 2-2 after extra time against West Germany, a penalty shootout decided the winner.

Midfielder Panenka floated a delicate chip down the middle to deceive goalkeeper Sepp Maier, while, earlier, Uli Hoeness of West Germany smashed his kick over the bar, handing Czechoslovakia the title.

Although Panenka had used the chip before, it became synonymous with him after that iconic Euros-winning penalty.

Mendy’s decisive save in Rabat has now added a new chapter to this storied technique, additionally proving the genuineness of the Diaz's miss and Mendy's poise.