Mane buries penalty demons as Senegal win final on spot kicks

Sadio Mane missed a penalty in regulation. He made up for it in the shootout.

Senegal are the 2022 AFCON champions.

The final against Egypt was a stale 0-0 with the key chance coming to Sadio Mane in the seventh minute. Egyptian center half Mohamed Abdelmonem bought down Sengal's Saliou Ciss in the box, Senegal won a penalty. Mane stepped up to take it, but was denied by Mohamed Abou Gabal, who dived to his right to make a fabulous save. The game wouldn't have a better chance over the next two hours, and it went to penalties 0-0 after extra time.

The first three penalties were converted before Chelsea goalkeeper denied Mohamed Abdelmonem, giving Sengal a 2-1 lead. Bouna Sarr missed for Senegal and the game got levelled back to 2-2, but Mendy was the hero again, saving Mohanad Lasheen's penalty, meaning Senegal would win if the next penalty was converted.

Despite what happened earlier in the game, Mane stepped up to the spot. He ran in struck, it well, and won Senegal's first ever AFCON.

Many will wonder why Mane's Liverpool teammate Mohammad Salah wasn't sent to take a kick for Egypt, despite scoring three penalties this year - one past Edouard Mendy.