👋 Welcome..
..to The Tap-Inn. Where you can tap in to the world of soccer with me, your first-gen Irish Tap-Inn bartender, Joe.
Last night’s Africa Cup of Nations final was unlike any final we’ve ever seen before.
“Joe, you’re always saying things like that.”
I know. But trust me. This is one you really, REALLY don’t want to miss.
Let’s tap in.
🥃 TOP SHELF
AFCON 2025 Final: Senegal 1-0 Morocco (after extra time)
Senegal fans took the penalty awarded against their team very well.
We said it would be box office, but this was another level…
Senegal have poured themselves an AFCON title, beating hosts Morocco by a goal to nil after extra time in a final that spilled all over the table and soiled your pants while it was at it.
The key moments in an unforgettable game:
0’ to 90’: A tense and balanced goalless tie.
90’+1’: Fasten your seatbelts.
90’+2’: Referee rules out a perfectly good Senegal goal from a corner for a foul in the build-up.
90’+5‘: Morocco are awarded a highly dubious penalty at the other end after a VAR review.
90’+10‘: Senegal begin to walk off the pitch in protest.
90’+16‘: Captain Sadio Mane is now the only Senegalese player remaining on the field.
90’+18‘: Mane admirably heads down the tunnel and encourages his team to finish the game.
90’+22‘: Senegal fans begin to spill over the stands and the police only just keep them from storming the field.
90’+24‘: After waiting for 14 minutes, AFCON top scorer Brahim Díaz finally steps up and MISSES the penalty with a pathetic chip down the middle. The referee blows for 30 more minutes of extra time.
94’ (in extra time): Senegal’s Pape Gueye absolutely pumps one into the top corner to win it.
A goal worth winning any final, especially that one.
This is Senegal and Sadio Mané’s second-ever AFCON title, coming just four years after their first in 2021, and cementing the captain’s status as a national legend.
⏰ TLDR
Morocco missed a late, late controversial penalty after Senegal themselves had a goal questionably disallowed. Senegal then won it with a brilliant goal in extra time.
Now please excuse me while I go medicate myself with a couple cold ones from the fridge.
🗞️ THIS WEEK IN SOCCER
Manchester is red
A couple of weeks is a long time in soccer. Since sacking manager Ruben Amorim on January 4th, Manchester United gave ex-player Darren Fletcher the reins for two games in which they lumbered to firstly tie with 19th-place Burnley and then lost to Brighton in the FA Cup. Not ideal, Dazza.
On January 13th, a new interim in (yet another) ex-player Michael Carrick was then appointed with the simple task of taking on the Prem’s top two clubs Manchester City and Arsenal in his first two games. What could possibly go wrong?
Nothing, apparently. On Saturday, United produced a dominant 2-0 win over the blue half of Manchester which included three disallowed goals and the woodwork struck twice. They’re now just a point off Liverpool in 4th.
Pressure’s for kegs, Mick.
A McClean break at Wrexham
After a career which has included 661 club appearances and 103 caps for the Republic of Ireland, James McClean has decided to call it a day in English soccer and to rejoin his hometown team, Derry City.
The 36-year-old spent two and a half years with Wrexham, captaining the side to two promotions, before both player and club agreed by mutual consent that it was time for a new challenge elsewhere.
📝 TRIVIA ON TAP
Sadio Mané has 11 all-time AFCON goals to his name.
AFCON goals on tap
Who is the top scorer in Africa Cup of Nations history? 👑
Keep scrolling for the answer.
🌎 WORLD CUP TRACKER
143 Days to Go
Fun fact: that’s about as long as it takes for a leek to grow. One thing I’m hoping will be a little less leeky though will be the USMNT’s defense this summer (apologies).
Crystal Palace’s Chris Richards was named the 2025 U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year last week, capping off a stellar 12 months of performances. He’ll be crucial in keeping things tight at the back when June rolls around.
That said, with Palace winless in their last ten, Richards will be hoping his club can quickly turn things around so he can carry his form into the World Cup. Will keep you topped up on this one.
🔥 QUICKFIRE
Sound like a pro
How not to score a Panenka, presented by Morocco’s Brahim Díaz.
Phrase: “Panenka”
Origin: Named after Czech legend Antonín Panenka, who famously chipped a penalty straight down the middle in the 1976 European Championship final.
Definition: A penalty kick taken with a delicate chip down the center of the goal in the hope that the keeper has already decided to dive to one side. It’s high-risk, high-reward. Look cold as ice, or dumb as heck.
Usage: “I still can’t believe Díaz tried a Panenka with so much on the line. He’ll never live that down.”
On this day
That’s right Landon, clap for yourself. You deserve it.
19 January 2008: Landon Donovan becomes the USMNT’s all-time leading scorer with a penalty against Sweden — his 35th goal. He’d go on to bag 57 in total across 157 caps and at the time of his retirement, was America’s all-time leading goalscorer, assister and second-most capped player.
Hats off, Landon. Especially with that lovely head of hair you’ve found yourself.
Last call
Yehvann Diouf clearly never been one to throw in the towel.
Pour one out for Morocco’s reserve goalkeeper for spending the entirety of extra-time in the AFCON final fighting off ball boys and Moroccan players to be able to hand starting GK Edouard Mendy his towel to dry his gloves.
A safe pair of hands if ever there was one.
📝 TRIVIA ANSWER
Samuel Eto'o
The ex-Barcelona and Inter Milan star holds the record, scoring 18 goals for Cameroon across six AFCON tournaments and lifting the trophy twice in 2000 and 2002. Nice one, Sammy.
Until next time…
Thanks for stopping by The Tap-Inn.
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I’ll be behind the bar every week, Monday and Friday, serving up soccer. Sláinte.
— Joe