Trent Alexander-Arnold's teammate breaks silence after AFCON nightmare

Brahim Diaz missed a crucial Panenka penalty in the Africa Cup of Nations final as Morocco lost to Senegal in extra time, with the Real Madrid forward issuing an emotional apology

Brahim Diaz is Trent Alexander-Arnold's teammate at Real Madrid(Image: Getty Images)

Brahim Diaz, Trent Alexander-Arnold's teammate at Real Madrid, has come forward to apologize to Morocco supporters following the woeful penalty that proved costly for his team in the Africa Cup of Nations final.

Diaz's attempted Panenka was comfortably saved by Edouard Mendy in the closing stages of normal time, as Senegal ultimately claimed the trophy. A contentious VAR ruling gave the host nation an opportunity to secure victory from the spot in the 98th minute.

However, after Senegal's squad had re-entered the pitch – having initially walked off in protest at the decision against El Hadji Malick Diouf – Diaz squandered his golden chance. The Madrid star attempted to deceive Mendy by delicately chipping the ball down the centre of the goal, only to watch the goalkeeper remain stationary and collect it with ease.

The game progressed to extra time, where Senegal clinched it 1-0 courtesy of Pape Gueye's strike into the top corner.

Diaz's feeble attempt led some supporters to question whether he was intentionally missing in support of Senegal following referee Jean Jacques Ndala's disputed decision to award the penalty.

That theory was dismissed after the match, and Diaz turned to social media on Monday to issue an apology.

Diaz missed a penalty in the AFCON final(Image: Getty Images)

He wrote: "My heart aches. I dreamed of this title thanks to all the love you've given me, every message, every show of support that made me feel I wasn't alone.

"I fought with everything I had, with my heart above all else. Yesterday I failed, and I take full responsibility and apologize from the bottom of my heart. It will be hard to recover, because this wound doesn't heal easily, but I will try.

"Not for myself, but for everyone who believed in me and for everyone who suffered with me.

"I will keep going until one day I can repay all this love and be a source of pride for my Moroccan people."

Morocco manager Walid Regragui defended Diaz, suggesting the lengthy delay between the penalty being awarded and taken affected his composure.

Senegal's protest held up play for approximately 17 minutes, with captain Sadio Mane eventually persuading everyone to resume.

"He had a lot of time before taking the penalty which must have disturbed him," Regragui said. "But we can't change what happened. That is how he chose to take the penalty. We need to look forwards now."

Diaz was clearly devastated following the penalty miss and reportedly apologized to his Morocco teammates in the dressing room before becoming overcome with emotion.